April 10, 2025, 6:05 a.m. ET
By Adam Rasgon and Ronen Bergman
Reporting from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Doha, Qatar
The American team was in a race against time. With an important speech ahead, senior U.S. official Adam Boehler sought to finalize an agreement with Hamas for the release of Edan Alexander, the last living American-Israeli hostage in Gaza. As President Trump made his way to the Capitol to address Congress, negotiations were still ongoing, resulting in the president only briefly mentioning the hostage situation rather than delivering the victory he had hoped for.
The dialogue between the U.S. and Hamas marked a notable departure from a rigid policy that had traditionally prohibited U.S. engagement with groups labeled as terrorist organizations. Although the conflicts between Hamas and Israel intensified after the attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in a tragic loss of lives, the Trump administration's willingness to meet with Hamas officials in Qatar highlighted a calculated attempt to deliver results where previous administrations had not.
During discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump's focus on negotiating the hostage release was notably overshadowed by broader topics such as tariffs and relations with Iran. Despite the urgency and willingness from the U.S. side to reach an agreement, a successful resolution proved elusive amid Israeli opposition and shifting dynamics in Hamas's approach. Ultimately, an accord to free Edan Alexander was never finalized, showcasing the complexities and challenges of engaging with a contentious group like Hamas.
By Adam Rasgon and Ronen Bergman
Reporting from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Doha, Qatar
The American team was in a race against time. With an important speech ahead, senior U.S. official Adam Boehler sought to finalize an agreement with Hamas for the release of Edan Alexander, the last living American-Israeli hostage in Gaza. As President Trump made his way to the Capitol to address Congress, negotiations were still ongoing, resulting in the president only briefly mentioning the hostage situation rather than delivering the victory he had hoped for.
The dialogue between the U.S. and Hamas marked a notable departure from a rigid policy that had traditionally prohibited U.S. engagement with groups labeled as terrorist organizations. Although the conflicts between Hamas and Israel intensified after the attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in a tragic loss of lives, the Trump administration's willingness to meet with Hamas officials in Qatar highlighted a calculated attempt to deliver results where previous administrations had not.
During discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump's focus on negotiating the hostage release was notably overshadowed by broader topics such as tariffs and relations with Iran. Despite the urgency and willingness from the U.S. side to reach an agreement, a successful resolution proved elusive amid Israeli opposition and shifting dynamics in Hamas's approach. Ultimately, an accord to free Edan Alexander was never finalized, showcasing the complexities and challenges of engaging with a contentious group like Hamas.
