Division among Israelis strengthens Hamas, US envoy Witkoff warns hostage families

The day after the release of U.S.-Israeli dual citizen and IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldier Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity, White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with hostage families, assuring them that the U.S. won’t compromise on the release of all the remaining hostages.

“We are committed to the return of all the hostages, living and dead. We will accept nothing less than the return of all of them. That is the President's mission,” Witkoff said at a meeting at the Hostages and Missing Families Forum HQ in Tel Aviv.

The Jerusalem Post also reported that Witkoff told them, “When you argue between yourselves, when you're disbanding as a society, do you know who's watching? Hamas. That's why it's necessary to come together.”

“I've seen intelligence that shows us, when you're not united as a society, it harms our efforts,” he added.

Witkoff and hostage envoy Adam Boehler said they will fly directly from Israel to Qatar to participate in the fresh hostage negotiations slated to start Tuesday evening.

“We would all like to see a diplomatic solution. The fact is that most of the survivors left through a diplomatic solution. If Adam (Boehler) and I did not believe that there was a chance of progress in the negotiations, we would not have gone to Doha,” Witkoff said.

Notably, Witkoff also praised the role played by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been sharply criticized by members of the forum, in Alexander’s release.

“Netanyahu was willing to do tactical things in Gaza, which others refused to do. Idan is at home because of American-Israeli cooperation. Contrary to what is being said, [Netanyahu] cares,” he said.

Meanwhile, Alexander began rehabilitation in a hospital after his harrowing ordeal, and talked with Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog on the phone on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister’s Office published parts of the call with Netanyahu, who told him: “Edan, it is so good to hear from you. We are overjoyed. Your mother and father are overjoyed, as are the people of Israel. I want you to know this. This is simply a wonderful moment. How do you feel?”

“This is crazy. It is unbelievable. I am fine; weak, but we will slowly return to what we were before. It is all a matter of time,” Alexander replied.

Netanyahu added: “I have one more request of you, only one directive. Aside from the fact that you are a free man, listen to what the doctors say, because we have amazing care and teams. It really sounds to me that you are on the right path. Welcome home from all my heart, truly from all my heart. You have blessings from the people of Israel.”

Alexander’s family said Tuesday that his condition would not allow him to fly to Qatar to personally thank Trump and the Qatari Emir for his release, as had been reported.

However, Israeli media said that a small delegation of hostage families would fly to Qatar instead to meet Trump and the Emir.