Hamas told unconditional release of American hostage could be enough for US to coax Israel to end war

Hamas is being pushed by mediators to release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander unconditionally as a show of goodwill to US President Donald Trump, who is heading to the region this week, an Arab official familiar with the negotiations tells The Times of Israel.

Mediators are telling Hamas that releasing Alexander would go a long way with the the Trump administration, which would “put all issues on the table,” as far as Washington is concerned, including pushing Israel to agree to end the war in Gaza — something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to do, arguing that it would leave Hamas in power.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was said to have told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Hamas may release Alexander during Trump’s visit.