American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, 21, was released from Hamas captivity on Monday after being held in Gaza for more than 19 months. He was believed to be the last living U.S. hostage remaining in Gaza since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

58 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza — more than half presumed dead, including four American citizens.

Alexander’s release came as part of a deal negotiated between the U.S. and Hamas — through mediators, but with minimal Israeli involvement. The exact terms were not disclosed, but President Trump described it as a “good faith” gesture ahead of his trip to the Middle East.

INSIDE THE DEAL
Alexander grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, but moved to Israel when he was 18 to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. He was kidnapped while serving on Oct. 7 at the age of 19.

In captivity, he was reportedly severely tortured by Hamas, kept for an extended period in a cage with chains on his hands and legs, and given very little food until recent months.
Why now? Hamas described the release as a step toward a broader ceasefire agreement with Israel, saying it would release all of the hostages in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners — including Hamas terrorists — and an end to the war.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Alexander’s release, but has refused to agree to a total ceasefire, arguing it would leave the terrorist group in charge of Gaza.
- Negotiations for a potential ceasefire agreement are set to resume this week in Doha. Netanyahu warned that if upcoming talks fail, Israel will proceed with its planned military operation.

Alexander’s parents said that he will travel to Doha on Wednesday to meet President Trump, if his medical condition allows.

TRUMP’S TRIP
Trump, notably, will not be traveling to Israel during his tour of the Middle East this week. His four-day visit includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE — the first state trip of his second term — with the hopes of securing up to $1 trillion in deals and investment pledges. Geopolitics, like the hostage deal, are reportedly taking a back seat.

What his hosts want: The UAE and Saudi Arabia are lobbying for Silicon Valley AI chips. Saudi officials are also pushing for a U.S. security pact and nuclear cooperation. Qatar is expected to urge Trump to lift sanctions on its ally Syria.

SWEETENING THE DEAL
The royal family of Qatar has offered Trump a $400 million jet — dubbed the “flying palace” — that the president can use as the new Air Force One.

The 13-year-old super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation shortly before Trump leaves office — meaning he will not be inheriting it once he returns to civilian life.
- The president’s current military planes are decades old. Trump said he’d have to be stupid to reject Qatar’s offer.
Critics of the gift, including some Trump supporters, have voiced ethical concerns about accepting an offering from Qatar. The Constitution’s emoluments clause prohibits U.S. government officials from accepting gifts from “any King, Prince or foreign State.”
- But both the White House and DOJ concluded that it does not constitute bribery because the gift is not contingent upon any official act by Trump.