Hostage Release

“Hamas announced Sunday night it had agreed to free Alexander, 21, after several days of talks with the United States as part of an effort to reach a ceasefire and resume the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.” Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander returns to Israel after Hamas release. The deal seemed to be made between Hamas and the US, with Trump describing the release as a “step taken in good faith toward the United States and the efforts of the mediators – Qatar and Egypt – to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones.” The goal of ending the war is definitely different from Netanyahu’s position (airstrikes have already resumed), and from Trump’s earlier suggestion that Gaza be cleared to make way for a real estate development.

+ Trump is headed to the Middle East this week. A meeting with Bibi is not on the agenda. Trump’s Middle East trip leaves Netanyahu watching from the sidelines again.

+ “From embarking on nuclear talks with Iran to attempting hostage talks with Hamas without Israel’s knowledge, Trump has increasingly sidelined Netanyahu, stoking anxieties in a country long accustomed to being consulted by successive U.S. administrations. Last week, Israelis believed they saw more cracks emerge between the ‘America First’ president and Israel, after Trump said he had struck a truce with Yemen’s Houthi rebels that curbed the group’s attacks on U.S. ships — but did not cover Israel. Days later, reports emerged that Trump was considering offering Saudi Arabia access to civil nuclear technology without demanding that the kingdom normalize relations with Israel, a precondition that had been set by former president Joe Biden.” WaPo (Gift Article): Trump repeatedly bypasses Netanyahu, stoking dismay among Israelis. (I bet Bibi wishes he had a luxury airliner lying around.)

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