Washington is in frantic calls to mediators in Egypt to uncover details regarding the fate of Israeli American captive Idan Alexander, an Egyptian source exclusively revealed to The New Arab’s Arabic language sister publication Al-Araby Al Jadeed on Wednesday.
This comes after Abu Obaida, the spokesperson of Hamas's military wing the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced on Tuesday that they had lost contact with the group in charge of holding Alexander, amid relentless Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip which has killed scores of people over the past two days.
Abu Obaida said they are still trying to reach the group but have not been able to.
"We believe the occupation army is deliberately trying to end the case of the dual-citizen captives with the aim of continuing the war on Gaza’s population," he continued.
The Egyptian source added that the US’ Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, contacted Egyptian security officials involved in mediation efforts on Tuesday evening, directly after Abu Obaida’s comments.
The officials discussed the verification and accuracy of Abu Obaida’s comments, and the US requested that Egyptian mediators contact Hamas's leadership and learn the fate of the captive as well as further details on his condition.
The US requested precise details and information about his location so that he can be rescued, however, officials in Cairo reportedly said that it would be difficult to obtain such information.
Egyptian officials said however that they would try to convey the US’s message to Hamas’s leadership.
A leading source in Hamas later confirmed to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that they received calls from Egyptian mediators regarding the announcement from Abu Obaida, adding that the group has repeatedly said that the ongoing attacks carried out by Israel and supported by the US administration would only lead to the killing of more captives if it continues.
The Hamas source added that they could not accept the current proposal from Israel, which they said only aims to free the captives before completely obliterating the Gaza Strip.
The questions over Alexander’s condition emerged after the Al-Qassam Brigades published a video showing him express disappointment with the Israeli government and continued promises of his release.
He also said that the Israeli bombardment had come very close to the place he was being held.
Alexander also addressed US President Donald Trump, saying: "I believed you would succeed in getting me out of here alive. Why did I fall victim to Netanyahu’s lies?"
"I want to believe that you will not see me alive for the last time through this recording. I want to return safely," he added.
The latest developments come as Israeli forces continue to heavily bombard, with 37 people killed on Thursday alone.
The Gaza government media office says that over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli bombings since October 2023, while thousands of others are presumed to be dead under the rubble.