The White House’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff has said there is a strong chance of further ceasefire and hostage negotiation breakthroughs after Edan Alexander was freed this week.

Benjamin Netanyahu announced on social media that Israel is ready to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas. However, he emphasized that Israel rules out a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the talks.

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

The White House has called Trump’s visit a “historic return to the Middle East” but Israel is once again not on the itinerary.

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi said President Donald Trump's decision to halt attacks in Yemen marked "a victory" for the group.

Benjamin Netanyahu announced on social media that Israel is ready to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas. However, he emphasised that Israel rules out a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the talks.

Sources said there are growing differences between Netanyahu and Trump on Iran, the Houthis, and the IDF's expanding ops. in Gaza.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there is “no way” Israel will halt its war in Gaza, even if a deal is reached to release more hostages.His comments are likely to complicate talks on a new ceasefire that had seemed to gain momentum after Hamas released the last living American hostage on Monday in a gesture to US president Donald Trump,

Edan Alexander, a dual Israeli American national, was released following pressure from President Trump, who is set to travel to the region.