The decision by Hamas to hand over Israeli-American hostage Idan Alexander should not be seen as an act of mercy but rather as a calculated political step directed at the United States, according to Dr. Amnon Sofrin, a former head of the Mossad intelligence agency.
Speaking on Kan Moreshet, Dr. Sofrin asserted that the release was designed as a message to Washington, possibly crafted to influence President Donald Trump with an eye toward future negotiations. He emphasized that the timing was deliberate, pointing to Hamas’s desire to manipulate how it is perceived globally and to impact the tone of upcoming diplomatic interactions.
Dr. Sofrin also suggested that Hamas’s immediate objective is to secure more humanitarian aid and to push for the reopening of crossings along Gaza’s land borders.
Turning to the broader situation in Gaza and Hamas’s future, Dr. Sofrin painted a bleak picture. “There’s no good solution at this stage,” he stated. He acknowledged that the immediate threat to Israel has diminished — with no active rocket fire or infiltration attempts — but warned that the underlying challenges are far from over.
“Hamas is rebuilding itself, recruiting fighters, recycling explosives – and we are suffering casualties even after 19 months of fighting,” he cautioned. He concluded that while toppling Hamas militarily may eventually be necessary, such a move would come with significant costs.

{Matzav.com Israel}