US President Donald Trump has sided with the majority of Israelis who want to end the war in Gaza, but oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach. The release of Edan Alexander, the sole remaining American hostage held by Hamas, was facilitated through a back-channel dialogue between the US and the terrorist group.
Trump announced the news on social media, stating it was a step towards ending the “very brutal war” and returning all living hostages to their families. However, Israel’s intelligence services only found out about the negotiations after they had taken place.
While some reports suggest a disconnect between Trump and Israel, this is a misreading of the situation. The divide lies between Trump and Netanyahu, with most Israelis supporting Trump’s approach over Netanyahu’s. This was evident when Trump’s special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler, addressed an aircraft flying to Israel with Alexander’s mother.
Boehler stated that Trump had promised to “get back every hostage” and expressed his commitment to rescuing all hostages held in Israel. The passengers on the plane applauded at this emotional moment, highlighting the strong bond between Israel and the US.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/05/trump-israel-war/682782