JC Israel Briefing Day 586: Edan Alexander reveals Hamas torture

Alexander, 21, was shackled hand and foot, starved for long periods and referred to only as “the American” during his 584-day captivity. He said Hamas beat him repeatedly and kept him in a pitch-black tunnel.

US envoy Steve Witkoff visited Alexander at Ichilov Hospital and placed a Star of David necklace around his neck, originally worn by Witkoff’s son Andrew, who died aged 22 – a year older than Alexander. He told him: “You’ll honour my son if you keep wearing this.”

President Trump called Alexander and joked he’d become “a bigger celebrity than me,” according to Israeli media. He promised to meet him at the White House and praised his mother’s pressure campaign. Alexander replied that conditions had improved since Trump’s election but said he couldn’t speak freely.

Medical staff cancelled a planned trip to Qatar so Alexander could remain under care in Israel. The US has requested the return of four other citizens whose remains are thought to be held by Hamas.

Elsewhere, US envoys told Israeli hostage families that real progress is possible in renewed talks taking place in Doha. The officials travelled with Israeli negotiators, and a separate group of relatives also flew to Qatar for meetings with Trump and al-Thani.

Netanyahu said Israel may pause fighting for hostages but won’t stop until Hamas is destroyed. He told wounded soldiers that a full-force push into Gaza was imminent and claimed most civilians would choose to leave if exit routes were opened. Netanyahu said that defeating Hamas and freeing the hostages are “inseparable.”

On the ground in Gaza, an IDF airstrike targeted Hamas commander Mohammed Sinwar beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis. Defence Minister Katz said Hamas “won’t be allowed to use hospitals as terror HQs”. The Hamas-run health ministry said 16 were killed and over 70 wounded.

Meanwhile, Israel has endorsed a US-led initiative to bypass Hamas and deliver humanitarian aid directly to civilians in Gaza. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, on a visit to Japan, praised Tokyo’s early sanctions on Hamas leaders and described the mechanism as an opportunity to expand regional cooperation.

Sa’ar said the plan would ensure aid is delivered under international monitoring to prevent diversion. He met with Japanese foreign policy officials and expressed Israel’s support for further coordination with the US on the distribution framework. Israel says UN mechanisms failed to stop Hamas from diverting aid and wants stricter delivery controls. No start date has been announced for the aid rollout.

Also yesterday, Iran-backed Houthis launched three ballistic missiles toward Israel within 24 hours, triggering sirens in Jerusalem, the Dead Sea region and several West Bank settlements. One missile was intercepted outside Israeli airspace. The IDF issued rare evacuation warnings for Yemen’s Ras Issa, Hudaydah and As-Salif ports. Trump, in Riyadh, said the Houthis “say they won’t attack shipping” and welcomed their response to reduced US strikes.

Back in Israel, thirty-six young Charedi men suspected of draft evasion were arrested in a Military Police sweep, the IDF said, after refusing to obey wartime enlistment orders to join the army. Charedi politicians warned Netanyahu their parties will quit the coalition if arrests of yeshiva students continue under the enforcement plan.

The arrests came after military chiefs demanded enforcement. Shas and United Torah Judaism issued coordinated statements warning of a coalition walkout if enforcement expands. The IDF said charges will vary by case and include both disciplinary confinement and formal trial for long-term avoidance. Additional draft orders are scheduled to be issued next week, according to military sources.

Iran is open to temporary limits on uranium enrichment, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said. US envoy Steve Witkoff responded that enrichment remains a red line. Israel has insisted any agreement must include a complete ban.

Finally Israeli police have arrested and deported a British activist in the southern West Bank. She reportedly violated an IDF closure order in the West Bank after entering the country on a tourist visa and entering a closed military zone. She had also allegedly posted material online that Israel deemed of an unacceptable activist nature

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