Netanyahu reportedly delivered this message both to visiting wounded soldiers and to U.S. interlocutors. “Within days, things will happen in Gaza you’ve never seen before,” he told the veterans.
While Israel insists the release of Alexander came without any deal, U.S. officials say the U.S. administration — through Trump’s envoys — is pressing hard for an end to the war.
Aides to Trump reportedly told Israeli counterparts that the release of Alexander, combined with Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia this week, creates momentum for a broader hostage deal and ceasefire. “Netanyahu cannot afford a public clash with Trump,” one source said.
The proposed ceasefire would last 40 days — Phase A of the Witkoff plan — during which intense negotiations would take place to reach Phase B: a formal end to the war. Israel, however, opposes any ceasefire that doesn't guarantee the disarmament of Hamas and the exile of its leadership.
Israel is also unsettled by reports that Witkoff’s team communicated with Hamas behind Israel’s back. Nonetheless, Netanyahu agreed to send a high-level delegation to Doha, which will remain there through Thursday, overlapping with Trump’s Middle East visit.
The delegation includes Shin Bet Deputy Director “M.,” hostage affairs envoy Gal Hirsch, Netanyahu’s foreign affairs adviser Ophir Falk and representatives from Mossad and IDF intelligence.
Alexander's release was tightly orchestrated. Hamas was instructed by the Americans not to hold a public “release ceremony,” which Trump reportedly viewed as unacceptable.
U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler told a Jewish community summit in Madrid that this “quiet release” was an essential precedent for the return of all hostages and the bodies of fallen soldiers.
To ensure Alexander’s safe handover, Israel temporarily suspended drone surveillance over Gaza and opened a humanitarian corridor near Khan Younis for the Red Cross to access him.
Israeli officials say talks with Witkoff and Trump were “friendly and constructive.” One official stressed, “There was no deal. No ceasefire, no humanitarian aid, nothing. That’s off the table.”
Senior Israeli sources say they’re prepared for negotiations but are demanding the immediate release of half the remaining hostages in one phase and the rest upon final agreement.
“Hamas is trying to delay our takeover of Gaza,” one official said. “The release of Alexander was their last card, aimed at buying time and aligning themselves with U.S. interests.”
Israel says humanitarian aid is being coordinated with the U.S. but denies that it was part of any deal for Alexander’s release. According to one official, aid distribution will be confined to southern Gaza, where tent cities and field hospitals are planned.
The goal, he said, is to relocate Gaza’s civilian population there and prevent their return northward. “This will take time. Until then, we may need a bridge plan to prevent starvation in the north — but that has nothing to do with Alexander.”
Videos released by Hamas purporting to show aid entering Gaza were dismissed by Israel as internal redistributions from Hamas stockpiles meant to create psychological pressure.
“There are no rifts between Israel and the U.S.,” the Israeli official said, denying reports of tensions between Netanyahu and Trump. “Everyone is aligned: there will be no ceasefire unless Hamas surrenders and its leaders are exiled. This is not up for negotiation.”
Mike Huckabee in Israel
(Video: Gil Yochanan)
Witkoff, for his part, remains committed to his plan and asked for Israel to dispatch negotiators to Doha. Netanyahu agreed — describing this as Hamas’s last chance before Israel launches a full-scale offensive.
“There’s a very narrow window: Trump’s visit, Alexander’s release and credible military pressure," The official added. "This is Hamas’s opportunity — because if they don’t take it, the situation will get worse for them very quickly.”
When asked why Hamas agreed to release Alexander now, a senior Israeli official responded, “They’re afraid of the IDF's operation. This is their last-ditch effort to stop it. If they see we’re serious and the Americans back us, it may influence them. But again—there are no gaps between us and the Americans.”
According to the official, Hamas released Alexander immediately and without conditions to try and delay the Israeli offensive and gain U.S. cover. “They know the military pressure is real. The mobilization of reserves, the preparations for a major assault — this is their response.”
Trump is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE but not Israel, during his current Middle East tour. If Alexander feels well enough, he may fly to Qatar to meet the president there or possibly travel to Washington after Trump returns.
U.S. President Donald Trump's statement on Edan Alexander's release
( Video: FOX News)
Israel hopes Trump will use his visit to Riyadh to push for normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, though that isn’t the stated goal of his trip. “We always hope to expand the Abraham Accords,” said an Israeli official.
“Normalization with Saudi Arabia would be the crown jewel. We’d welcome U.S. pressure on Riyadh — but of course, they have their own interests too. Trump didn’t go there for nothing.”
Amid public criticism over the release of an American-Israeli hostage while Israeli citizens remain captive, Israeli officials pushed back. “We’ve already freed 196 hostages from Hamas, including 147 alive — and we never checked their passports,” one senior official said. “Israel is doing everything it can to bring hostages home. The idea that we prioritize one nationality over another is false.”
