As President Donald Trump continues his tour through the Middle East without stopping in Israel, he made it clear that the conflict with Hamas in Gaza is still central to his diplomatic agenda, pushing back against suggestions that the absence of a visit to Israel signals any sort of neglect.
“This is good for Israel,” Trump stated to reporters aboard Air Force One when asked about the omission of Israel from his travel itinerary. “Having a relationship like I have with these countries… I think it’s very good for Israel.”
Trump also emphasized the White House’s pivotal role in helping to secure the freedom of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who was released from Gaza on Monday. “Probably none of the hostages would be living right now,” he asserted, adding that the administration may deserve “the most credit” for the outcome.
During the flight, when asked if Israel should be recognized for Alexander’s release, Trump responded, “Well, they’ve been fighting a long time, they’re warring, and I think they deserve a lot of credit.
“I think my people deserve a lot of credit. Maybe the most credit,” he continued. “Look, [Alexander] wouldn’t be there. If it weren’t for us, he wouldn’t be living right now. Probably none of the hostages would be living right now. We probably have 20 that are living, that we’ll be getting out step by step.”
The release of Alexander, who had been held captive in Gaza, came in what was framed as a goodwill gesture from Hamas to President Trump ahead of his arrival in the region.
According to a statement from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s office on Wednesday, the Israeli leader held in-depth consultations with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy to the region, as well as the Israeli hostage negotiation team. Witkoff has recently joined them in Doha.
Witkoff traveled from Tel Aviv to the Qatari capital on Tuesday and arrived shortly before Trump’s own landing there. Al Jazeera reported that he held a prolonged meeting—lasting approximately two and a half hours—with top Qatari officials. Families of the hostages were also present at the talks.
Following a phone call with Trump on Monday, Netanyahu agreed to dispatch negotiators to Doha. He subsequently met with both Witkoff and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, making clear that “the negotiations will take place only under fire.”
In his remarks to Gulf leaders on Wednesday in Riyadh, Trump reiterated his support for a better future for Palestinians in Gaza—while making it plain that this future must not involve Hamas. He declared that Hamas members “delight in raping, torturing and murdering innocent people.”
Addressing attendees at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Trump thanked the Gulf nations for their involvement in mediation efforts. He singled out their contribution to “bring this terrible conflict to an end, including securing the release of American hostage Edan Alexander.”
“We thought Edan was dead,” Trump revealed, emphasizing the emotional weight of the moment. He concluded by asserting, “ultimately, all hostages of all nationalities must be released as a stepping stone to peace.”


{Matzav.com}