The White House has called Trump’s visit a “historic return to the Middle East” but Israel is once again not on the itinerary.

President Trump has always viewed the presidency as a worldwide hunt for deals. And there is no better place for that than the Gulf, where a few men wield absolute authority over vast wealth.

Just as he did in his first term as president, Trump is upending decades of diplomatic protocol and choosing to embark on his first major foreign trip with a visit to Saudi Arabia. He’ll continue this week to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates,

DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip — An American Israeli soldier held hostage for more than 19 months in the Gaza Strip was released Monday, Hamas said, in a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration that could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel.

Hamas will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander from Gaza on Monday, the Palestinian militant group said, and fighting appeared to stop at midday after Israel said it would pause operations to allow safe passage for the hostage.

The release of the American-Israeli soldier potentially paves the way for a new ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas An American-Israeli soldier held hostage for more than 19 months in the Gaza Strip was released on Monday,