Trump Defends Skipping Israel Visit, Credits U.S. for Hostage Release Amid Gaza Talks
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump defended his decision to skip a stop in Israel during his ongoing Middle East visit, asserting that his efforts in the region are ultimately beneficial to the Jewish state, despite speculation that Israel is being sidelined.
“This is good for Israel,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “Having a relationship like I have with these countries… I think it’s very good for Israel.”
The U.S. president emphasized that his administration played a central role in securing the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander from Gaza, suggesting Washington deserved “the most credit” for the outcome.
“If it weren’t for us, [Alexander] wouldn’t be living right now. Probably none of the hostages would be living right now,” Trump said. “We probably have 20 that are living, that we’ll be getting out step by step.”
Alexander was released Monday in what Hamas described as a goodwill gesture to Trump ahead of his regional tour. Asked if Israel deserved any credit, 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.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a series of talks with Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who joined the Israeli hostage negotiating team in Doha. Witkoff, traveling from Tel Aviv to Qatar, also met with senior Qatari officials and families of hostages during a two-and-a-half-hour meeting.
Netanyahu authorized sending a delegation to Doha after discussions with Trump and meetings with Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee. However, he clarified that “the negotiations will take place only under fire.”
While attending the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Riyadh, Trump addressed regional leaders, stating his hope for “the future of safety and dignity of the Palestinian people” in Gaza, but added, “it cannot happen under Hamas, who delight in raping, torturing and murdering innocent people.”
Trump also praised the Gulf states for helping mediate the crisis. “We thought Edan was dead,” he said. “Ultimately, all hostages of all nationalities must be released as a stepping stone to peace.”
Following the summit, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud said the U.S. and Saudi Arabia “agree to end the war in Gaza and release all hostages.” He added that the U.S. is prepared to make “very courageous decisions” to push toward a ceasefire and address “the broader issues of Palestine,” including steps toward a Palestinian state, according to The New York Times.
The White House did not issue a parallel statement confirming such an agreement.
Al-Saud also stressed the urgency of a truce: “We need to reach a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible… without a ceasefire in Gaza, it would be difficult to supply aid.”
Israel has signaled that it may resume full-scale military operations in Gaza once Trump concludes his trip on Friday, unless a hostage agreement is reached.
Netanyahu told coalition partners that despite authorizing talks in Doha, his terms remain unchanged. The Israeli team’s mandate is restricted to negotiating the so-called “Witkoff proposal,” which calls for the release of up to half the hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire lasting several weeks. During the truce, Israel would consider a permanent ceasefire only if Hamas agrees to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza.
Arab mediators warn that convincing Hamas to proceed without such assurances will be difficult, citing a collapsed January deal that included a phased truce which ended prematurely in March after Israel declined to enter long-term ceasefire talks.
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