Why Was Israel Left Out of Edan Alexander’s Release, and What It Signals About U.S. Priorities

The fact that Israel was informed of Edan Alexander’s release only 24 hours before it occurred, with the deal orchestrated by the Trump administration bypassing Israeli involvement, is both bizarre and deeply troubling for Israel.

U.S. and Israel are allies historically aligned on security matters.

So what's really going on?

The Washington Post and New York Times noted that Hamas negotiated directly with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, sidelining Israel despite its central role in the conflict and the fact that Alexander is an Israeli soldier.

This move was described as a “goodwill gesture to Trump”. This suggests the U.S. prioritized diplomatic optics and regional leverage over coordination with Israel, leaving Jerusalem blindsided in a matter critical to its national security.

The timing is telling too, coming at the same time as Trump commenced his Middle East visit (leaving out Israel).

The implications are unsettling. Israel’s marginalization in the release of one of its own citizens, coupled with Arab media like Al-Araby Al-Jadeed framing it as Hamas exploiting U.S.-Israel tensions, doesn't bode well for us.

For Israel, being kept in the dark risks weakening its negotiating power in future hostage talks, as Hamas may now see the U.S. as a more pliable intermediary.

The lack of Israeli involvement has also increased domestic frustration, with critics cited in the Times arguing it exposes the limits of Netanyahu’s military pressure strategy.

This unprecedented disconnect, at a time when 58 hostages remain in Gaza, raises urgent questions about the reliability of U.S.-Israel coordination and Israel’s ability to assert control over its citizens’ fates.

This is true even though the USA insists it 'loves' Israel and is 100% aligned with us, which honestly brings to mind the phrase 'He doth protest too much.'

For anyone who is depressed about it, you can still be relieved we are out from under Biden's iron thumb.

And Trump, as ever, remains a wild card, protecting US interests above all else.