The agreement to release Edan Alexander came after talks between Washington and Hamas that did not include Israel.

A senior Hamas official tells Newsweek that the Palestinian militant group saw "positive" potential in signs of a growing rift between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after offering the U.S. leader a political win in the form of an American hostage release ahead of his Middle East trip.

A U.S.-backed mechanism for getting aid into Gaza should take effect soon, Washington's envoy to Israel said on Friday.

Hamas released Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old New Jersey-born IDF soldier who was captured during the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. Alexander was handed over to the Red Cross, which transferred him to the Israeli military.

Senior Hamas official says the release of Alexander could advance a ceasefire, IDF withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the start of Gaza's reconstruction, and a "just" exchange deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned that Israel would use its "full force" to "complete" the fight against Hamas in Gaza.

The White House’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff has said there is a strong chance of further ceasefire and hostage negotiation breakthroughs after Edan Alexander was freed this week.

Freeing Alexander, believed to be the last surviving American hostage held by the militant Palestinian group, comes ahead of U.S. President Trump's visit to the Middle East this week.

Hamas on Monday released an Israeli-American soldier who had been held hostage in Gaza for more than 19 months, offering a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration that could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel.

Hamas releases Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage in Gaza, ahead of President Trump’s Middle East trip

Hamas will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander from Gaza on Monday, the Palestinian militant group said, but Israel's prime minister said there would be no ceasefire and plans for an intensified military campaign would continue.

Israeli officials said the military had launched an attack targeting Mohammad Sinwar, one of Hamas’s top remaining commanders in Gaza and the brother of a leader killed last year.