This is especially true if one side gets nothing in return. However, more than a week and a half later, Hamas is receiving a ceasefire and Israel has received no hostages in return. During the first phase of the ceasefire deal 33 hostages were released in 42 days.

Trump's special envoy said gaining the release of Edan Alexander, believed to be the last living American hostage held by Hamas, was a "top priority."

Israel carried out an air strike in northern Gaza on Sunday, rattling an already fragile ceasefire as fresh talks in Doha are set to take place on Monday. Israel's military said the air strike targeted Hamas terrorists who "were identified operating in proximity to IDF troops and attempting to plant an explosive device in the ground in northern Gaza.