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Trump not yet using US leverage to end Israel’s war on Gaza
Sami Al-Arian, a political analyst and professor at Istanbul Zaim University, says the Trump administration appears to have told Hamas that if it releases captive Edan Alexander “as a good gesture”, the US president will work to end Israel’s war on Gaza.
Al-Arian explained that Alexander’s release comes amid two irreconcilable positions that Washington is trying to navigate: On one hand, the captives are Hamas’s only leverage in negotiations to reach a ceasefire, while on the other, Israel doesn’t want to end the war.
“Meanwhile, Trump is trying to get these hostages released without having to pay the price that is needed. So he’s basically leaning on both sides,” Al-Arian told Al Jazeera.
The US – which provides billions of dollars in military aid to Israel annually – holds “a lot of cards” it can use to pressure its ally to end the war. But so far, Trump has largely failed to do so, the analyst added.
“He is providing them with all the weapons, all the bombs, all the missiles, all the planes, all the tanks, and so on and so forth,” Al-Arian said. “And that has never stopped – he’s not using that leverage in order to get his way.”
Hamas on ceasefire talks
Hamas has reiterated that the complete withdrawal of Israel’s army must be part of Gaza ceasefire negotiations after Israel promised to continue its assault.
“We affirm that serious and responsible negotiations achieve results in the release of prisoners. However, continuing the aggression prolongs their suffering and may kill them,” the Palestinian group said.
“We affirm the movement’s readiness to immediately begin negotiations to reach a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire agreement, including the withdrawal of the occupation army, the end of the siege, a prisoner exchange and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.”
Captive release spurs ‘mixed feelings’ in Israel
Akiva Eldar, an Israeli political analyst, says Alexander’s release has spurred joy but also frustration in Israel.
“We’re happy that Edan Alexander is on the way back to his family, but at the same time, Israel could not get any other Israelis” out of the Gaza Strip, Eldar told Al Jazeera from Tel Aviv.
“What we see is that what President Trump can do, Netanyahu is not able – or not willing – to do,” he said.
The Israeli prime minister has faced widespread calls to end the Gaza war to secure the captives’ release but has said he plans to expand Israel’s offensive.
“Today is a crucial point,” Eldar explained. “Because the Israeli public is aware of the fact that if you want a deal, if you want your sons back at home, you can do it. But for that, you have to be a leader like President Trump and not like Netanyahu.”
