In the wake of the release of American-Israeli Edan Alexander by the terrorist group Hamas, which still holds dozens of hostages abducted in their October 7, 2023, massacre of over 1,200 Israelis, some prominent GOP leaders were undeterred in urging that the terrorist group be eliminated.

Hamas released Alexander, apparently to curry favor with the U.S., as Israel has blocked aid into Gaza, where Hamas has routinely seized supplies intended for civilians and reportedly resold them on the black market.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) responded to the freeing of Alexander by writing, “Hamas terrorists brutally tortured Edan Alexander and held him hostage for 19 months. Thanks to @POTUS ’s strength and leadership, Edan on his way home. We’re glad he’s heading home but this should have never happened. We demand justice for all of those still held hostage and we stand with Israel in the fight to eliminate Hamas.”

Hamas terrorists brutally tortured Edan Alexander and held him hostage for 19 months. Thanks to @POTUS’s strength and leadership, Edan on his way home.

We’re glad he’s heading home but this should have never happened.

We demand justice for all of those still held hostage and… https://t.co/J7yvbuX2rf

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 12, 2025

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), a veteran who served in the war in Iraq as a platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division and led a 41-man air assault, echoed, “After more than 580 days in captivity Edan Alexander is free from Hamas terrorists. I commend President Trump for his tireless efforts to free the hostages. And we should encourage Israel to keep up the pressure to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home.”

After more than 580 days in captivity Edan Alexander is free from Hamas terrorists. I commend President Trump for his tireless efforts to free the hostages. And we should encourage Israel to keep up the pressure to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home.

— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) May 12, 2025

Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) maintained a vigilant eye on Iran, for whom Hamas acts as a murderous proxy, writing, “While negotiating with Iran, the goal must be full dismantlement of their nuclear program. The Biden administration allowed them to build out their nuclear program for four years while keeping the cameras off. If they are allowed to keep any part of the program, they will be able to cheat — and the Ayatollah has cheated on every deal he’s ever signed.”

While negotiating with Iran, the goal must be full dismantlement of their nuclear program.

The Biden administration allowed them to build out their nuclear program for four years while keeping the cameras off. If they are allowed to keep any part of the program, they will be… pic.twitter.com/XkLtZ1VTZT

— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) May 12, 2025

And to dispel rumors that President Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are undergoing a frostiness in their relationship, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee chimed in, “Excellent meeting w/     ⁦ @IsraeliPM. Cooperative efforts with ⁦@POTUS ⁩& ⁦@IsraeliPM ⁩resulted in Edan Alexander release. Witkoff, & Huckabee meet ahead of hostage release. Forget rumors. We’re all on same page.”

Excellent meeting w/ ⁦@IsraeliPM⁩. Cooperative efforts with ⁦@POTUS⁩ & ⁦@IsraeliPM⁩ resulted in Edan Alexander release. Witkoff, & Huckabee meet ahead of hostage release. Forget rumors. We’re all on same page. https://t.co/UrKsxtUWSS

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) May 12, 2025

President Donald Trump departed for Saudi Arabia on Monday, kicking off the second foreign trip of his second term with a packed agenda. Here’s what you need to know.

Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and possibly Turkey. The trip was supposed to be the president’s first foreign trip until he attended Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome last month.

The trip to the three energy-rich nations comes as Trump seeks to make deals with foreign nations and attempts to end both the war between Israel and Hamas and the war between Russia and Ukraine.

LAST LIVING AMERICAN HOSTAGE EDAN ALEXANDER RELEASED FOLLOWING TRUMP ADMIN EFFORTS

Trump’s trip got off to a controversial start following reports that the president is preparing to accept a $400 million Boeing 747 jumbo jet from Qatar, which would be available for Trump to use in lieu of Air Force One. Shortly before he leaves office, the plane would then be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation.

The gift has caused an uproar with critics who say it’s a signal that Qatar — a massive funder and enabler of terrorist groups — is trying to gain influence in the Trump administration.

Trump defended the gift as an affordable way to replace the 40-year-old Air Force One.

“So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40-year-old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane,” he posted. “Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!!”

Speaking to reporters on Monday from the White House, Trump floated adding a stop to Turkey, where peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled.

“I would fly there if I thought it would be helpful,” Trump said about the meeting where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is slated to meet face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

HOW TRUMP AND RUBIO PUT AMERICA FIRST IN 100 DAYS

“Thursday’s meeting with Russia and Ukraine is really important,” he added. “I was really insistent that that meeting take place. I think good things can come out of that meeting. Stop the bloodshed, it’s a bloodbath.”

Zelenskyy posted on X that he would “appreciate” if Trump “could be there with us at the meeting.”

Recently freed American hostage Edan Alexander may meet with Trump in Qatar, depending on his medical condition.

Last week, Israel approved an expanded ground operation plan that includes plans to conquer and retain more areas of the Gaza Strip. The plan, named “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” will go into effect if Hamas fails to make an agreement with Israel by the end of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East this week, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Israel announced it will be sending a delegation to Qatar on Tuesday to negotiate a hostage deal.

During his first term, Trump built strong ties with several Gulf states, which led to the signing of the Abraham Accords between the UAE, Israel, and Bahrain. Trump has expressed interest in expanding the agreement to include Saudi Arabia, but the ongoing war in Israel has complicated those efforts.

Saudi Arabia did receive a possible win this week after the White House dropped demands for Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel as a condition of receiving U.S. assistance in starting a civilian nuclear program, reported The Times of Israel.

In March, Trump announced that Saudi Arabia committed to investing $1 trillion into the American economy.

“I made a deal with Saudi Arabia…I said I’ll go if you pay $1 trillion to American companies, meaning the purchase over a four-year period of $1 trillion, and they’ve agreed to do that,” Trump said, Newsweek reported.

Also in March, the UAE committed to investing $1.4 trillion in American energy, manufacturing, and technology over the next decade.

TRUMP SAYS U.S. NEEDS ‘GOLDEN DOME’ MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM: ‘THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS WORLD’

“This new framework will substantially increase the UAE’s existing investments in the U.S. economy in AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and American manufacturing,” the White House said in a statement announcing the framework.

Saudi Arabia was the first country Trump visited during his first term in 2017, where a viral image was captured of him touching an orb alongside Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi at the opening of the Global Centre for Combating Extremist Ideology.

@KingSalman and @POTUS inaugurate The Global Center for Combatting Extremist Ideology in Riyadh. #RiyadhSummit pic.twitter.com/do6cFL7wBW

— Saudi Embassy USA (@SaudiEmbassyUSA) May 21, 2017