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.

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

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.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there is “no way” Israel will halt its war in Gaza, even if a deal is reached to release more hostages.

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.

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

President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed in a message to AP that Hamas had agreed to release Alexander as a good will gesture toward Trump.