US President Donald Trump expressed hope that the release of American-Israeli captive Aidan Alexander would mark the beginning of the end of the war in Gaza, describing the conflict as "brutal."

A Step Towards Peace

In a post on the "Truth Social" platform, Trump said:

“I am pleased to announce the return of Aidan Alexander, the American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, to his family. I extend great thanks to all who contributed to this significant news.”

Trump added that the release of Alexander represents “a goodwill step towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators - Qatar and Egypt - to end this brutal war,” expressing hope that this step would be one of the final steps necessary to end the conflict.

Hamas' Position

For its part, the “Hamas” movement announced that it would release the American-Israeli soldier Aidan Alexander as part of efforts to reach a ceasefire, open crossings, and deliver aid. It also confirmed its readiness to commence immediate intensive negotiations to reach a final agreement that includes ending the war, exchanging prisoners, and managing the Gaza Strip by an independent professional entity that ensures stability and calm for an extended period.

Israel's Position

Israeli Channel 12 reported that Israel was unaware of US-Hamas negotiations regarding the release of Aidan Alexander. In response to Hamas' announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that Washington had informed Tel Aviv of the movement's intention to release the hostage without compensation or conditions.

US Commitment to Aid

Coinciding with Alexander's release, Trump renewed his commitment to facilitate the delivery of food and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, noting that an American mechanism to support aid would soon come into effect.

Field Tension

In contrast, Israel threatened to expand its ground operations in Gaza if Trump left the region without achieving tangible progress in negotiations, considering this aimed at intensifying pressure on Hamas and imposing new conditions on the ground.

Summary

The release of Aidan Alexander indicates a possibility of breaking the political stalemate regarding the war in Gaza, but it leaves the door open for the potential of field escalation if negotiations do not yield tangible results.