Adam Boehler gave a full-throated defense of the direct talks between Hamas and the United States. When news emerged in March that the United States was holding direct talks with Hamas, the American envoy in charge of those unprecedented negotiations received a tornado of blowback.

Freeing Alexander, believed to be the last surviving American hostage held by the militant Palestinian group, comes ahead of U.S. President Trump's visit to the Middle East this week.

The Israeli military said the new offensive in Gaza will not stop until the hostages are returned and Hamas is dismantled.

Israel reported Sunday it found the body of Hamas' de facto leader, Muhammad Sinwar, in a tunnel in Khan Younis after he was killed in a series of airstrikes last week.

A senior Hamas official on Thursday stressed the group is willing to hand over all remaining hostages in Gaza if their repeated conditions are met.

New framework proposes immediate release of 10 hostages, ceasefire of up to two months; release of terrorists remains a point of contention.