US-Israeli hostage released by Hamas

Hamas released a US-Israeli hostage from captivity in Gaza Monday, both the militant group and the Israeli military confirmed.

The handover, which came as US President Donald Trump traveled to the Middle East, comes amid growing tension between the US leader and his once-close ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump characterized Edan Alexander’s release as “a step taken in good faith… to put an end to this very brutal war,” a remark which Haaretz’s chief diplomatic correspondent noted “directly contradicts the stated intentions” of Netanyahu’s government, which is readying a new ground offensive on Gaza.

The ongoing conflict — as well as US negotiations with Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program — is “testing the relationship of the two men,” The New York Times wrote.