Israel has targeted Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar in a strike on a hospital in southern Gaza on Tuesday evening, according to a senior Israeli official and two sources familiar with the matter.

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.

Any ceasefire deal reached would be temporary, the prime minister said.

Hamas on Monday released Israeli American Edan Alexander after more than 19 months in captivity in the Gaza Strip, a result of direct talks between U.S. and Hamas officials in recent days.

But the president is sidelining him on urgent issues like the Iran nuclear talks and the conflict with Houthi rebels.

"Every minute was a battle between hope and despair."