Poster of Edan Alexander at Otages Square Tel Aviv (Credit: AFP.)
By announcing the release of the only living U.S.-Israeli hostage, Edan Alexander, Hamas has reached out to Washington. Hamas' clear objective is to pressure for a cease-fire in Gaza, reopen the crossings into the enclave — under Israeli blockade since March 2 — and resume delivery of humanitarian aid.This announcement comes at a crucial time when U.S. President Donald Trump is set to begin a diplomatic tour in the region on Tuesday. He is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. American envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Monday, where he joined the special envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler, to welcome Alexander and meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Digging a trenchBy choosing to release the American hostage, Hamas is playing its best card to secure a cease-fire. The Israeli state, which...
By announcing the release of the only living U.S.-Israeli hostage, Edan Alexander, Hamas has reached out to Washington. Hamas' clear objective is to pressure for a cease-fire in Gaza, reopen the crossings into the enclave — under Israeli blockade since March 2 — and resume delivery of humanitarian aid.This announcement comes at a crucial time when U.S. President Donald Trump is set to begin a diplomatic tour in the region on Tuesday. He is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. American envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Monday, where he joined the special envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler, to welcome Alexander and meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Digging a trenchBy choosing to release the American hostage, Hamas is playing its best card to secure a cease-fire. The Israeli state,...