Hamas on Tuesday rejected “Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that military pressure had helped secure the release of US-“Israeli” captive Edan Alexander from Gaza a day earlier.

 

"The return of Edan Alexander is the result of serious communications with the US administration and the efforts of mediators, not a consequence of Israeli aggression or the illusion of military pressure," the Palestinian group said in a statement.

 

"Netanyahu is misleading his people and has failed to bring back his prisoners through aggression," Hamas added.

 

The armed wing of Hamas on Monday released 21-year-old Alexander, who had been held in Gaza October 7, 2023.

 

Netanyahu had credited Alexander's release to a combination of "our military pressure and the political pressure exerted by (US) President (Donald) Trump."

 

The “Israeli” prime minister had thanked Trump "for his assistance in the release", and also said he had instructed a negotiating team to head to Qatar on Tuesday to discuss the release of the remaining captives.

 

Netanyahu on Tuesday spoke on the phone with Alexander and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who was meeting the former captive in hospital during a visit to “Israel”.

 

"The entire nation of Israel is overjoyed," Netanyahu said on the call, according to a video released by his office.

 

"We are grateful for American support and deeply appreciate the (Israeli) soldiers who are prepared to act by any means necessary if the remaining hostages are not released," he added.

 

When asked by Netanyahu how he was feeling, Alexander replied: "It's crazy, unbelievable. I'm okay. Weak, but slowly I'll get back to how I was before. It's just a matter of time."

 

The release of Alexander -- the last living captive in Gaza with US citizenship -- came a day after Hamas revealed it was engaged in direct talks with Washington towards a ceasefire in Gaza.

 

Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday on the first leg of a Gulf tour that will also take him to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

 

"The return of Edan Alexander confirms that serious negotiations and a prisoner exchange deal are the way to bring back the prisoners and end the war," the Hamas statement said on Tuesday.

 

Of the 251 captives seized during Oct. 7 2023 attack, 57 are still held in Gaza, including 34 the “Israeli” military says are dead.