TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there is “no way” Israel will halt its war in Gaza, even if a deal is reached to release more hostages.

A senior Hamas official tells Newsweek that the Palestinian militant group saw "positive" potential in signs of a growing rift between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after offering the U.S. leader a political win in the form of an American hostage release ahead of his Middle East trip.

A U.S.-backed mechanism for getting aid into Gaza should take effect soon, Washington's envoy to Israel said on Friday.

Senior Hamas official says the release of Alexander could advance a ceasefire, IDF withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the start of Gaza's reconstruction, and a "just" exchange deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned that Israel would use its "full force" to "complete" the fight against Hamas in Gaza.

The White House’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff has said there is a strong chance of further ceasefire and hostage negotiation breakthroughs after Edan Alexander was freed this week.

The U.S. and Hamas are again at the negotiating table to iron out a ceasefire agreement for the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, which controls the territory. A senior Palestinian official told Reuters that facilitating aid into Gaza is also being discussed.

Israel has targeted Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar in a strike on a hospital in southern Gaza on Tuesday evening, sources say.