For Mr Alexander, his family and the many Israelis who have been campaigning for the hostages in Gaza, his release brought relief and joy. For Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, it was a moment of diplomatic embarrassment.

While Hamas has expressed willingness to negotiate a full ceasefire in exchange for Israeli withdrawal and prisoner releases, Netanyahu has added conditions such as disarmament of Hamas and exile of its leadership - terms that group rejects unless occupation ends.

Israeli military strikes killed at least 50 Palestinians, local health authorities said, as President Donald Trump continued his visit to the Middle East.