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.

Edan Alexander was 19 when Hamas militants stormed the Israeli military base where the American-Israeli from New Jersey was a soldier and dragged him into the Gaza Strip.

American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, who had been held captive by Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, was released on Monday.

Israel is preparing a major operation in Gaza — we are not hiding it. We have … the troops ready,” Ambassador Danny Danon told reporters at the UN.

The American dual national Edan Alexander has been handed over by Hamas more than 19 months after he was taken hostage.

Edan Alexander, a dual Israeli American national, was released following pressure from President Trump, who is set to travel to the region.

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