Happy Monday, friends! According to a Truth posted by President Trump yesterday, American-Israeli hostage, Edan Alexander is coming home tomorrow. That is incredible news, and here is Trump’s announcement:

The release of Edan Alexander is an absolute answer to prayer, and one in which President Trump played a key role. I hope we all take time to give praise and thanksgiving to our sovereign, loving God who has heard the prayers of many of us who have prayed for the release of all hostages.

Despite fabulous news regarding a hostage release, mixed messages regarding President Trump’s trip to the Middle East continue to illicit concern. Here are a few examples:

• The Jerusalem Post hints that a Gulf diplomatic source has indicated President Trump will declare a sovereign state of Palestine as part of the negotiations to include Saudi Arabia in the Abraham Accords. Mike Huckabee (US Ambassador to Israel) and White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt both firmly deny the “rumor.” Leavitt went on to affirm that President Trump’s relationship with PM Netanyahu is “very strong, contrary to the lies being spread.”
• Despite assurances from the White House and the Ambassador’s residence, Steve Witkoff (Trump’s lead negotiator in the Middle East) recently suggested to Israeli hostage families that Israel has prolonged the war, damaging the opportunity to secure the release of all hostages. According to The Times of Israel, Witkoff and his team are putting significant pressure on Israel to force an agreement to get the hostages home. The problem is that Hamas will almost assuredly not agree to release of hostages without assurances that they (Hamas) remain in power in Gaza. That would all but guarantee a reconstituted Hamas terrorist regime and another October 7-like attack.
• Due to those issues and others, there are lots of reports from named and unnamed sources that Trump and Netanyahu are not getting along, and that the US is pressing forward with plans to negotiate deals with Iran and Hamas without regard to Israel and their input. Let’s hope it is fake news.
• Iran has now agreed to direct talks with the US. Yet, in his latest sermon, Ayatollah Khamenei (Iran’s Supreme Leader) led chants of “Death to America.” That is nothing new. Those chants have gone on for decades. Why on earth would America negotiate with terrorists who vow to kill us, and whose negotiating acumen is known to be deceptive. (Obama’s JCPOA deal with Iran proves that!)
• President Trump is on his way to Saudi Arabia and other Middle East nations to negotiate the Israel-Gaza situation, as well as Saudi Arabia’s potential inclusion into the Abraham Accords. Just prior to the trip, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has spoken by phone to new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Al-Sharaa was once a key ISIS leader, now masquerading as a “moderate” in Syria, though his regime is slaughtering other people groups, including the Druze. Israeli Druze often serve honorably and bravely in the IDF, and the IDF is protecting the Druze’s interests in Syria. This is a significant conflict of interest.
• Other reports indicate the meeting between MBS and al-Sharaa will also include Palestinian President Abbas, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and perhaps President Trump himself. Reports (unconfirmed) suggest the topic of discussion will be establishing a Palestinian state. Trump in the room with that group is not a favorable negotiating position if the US intent is to act in Israel’s best interest.
• Hamas clearly sees the release of Edan Alexander as a bargaining chip, putting Trump in a position of “owing” them a ceasefire, open crossings, and the release of humanitarian aid. (Keep in mind…it was Hamas who attacked innocent Israeli civilians and there is PLENTY of aid inside Gaza. The problem is that Hamas hijacks it, leaving the Palestinian citizens to starve.)
• According to major US news sources, Qatar’s royal family is set to gift a $400 million Boeing 747-8 to President Trump, to be used as Air Force One. So many red flags here! First, Qatar has been funding Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist groups in their quest to wipe Israel off the map. Are they about to “pay off” Trump to act in their best interests? Furthermore, the plane would be transferred to Trump’s Presidential Library once Trump leaves office. Major issues. (BTW – Qatar is the major money source behind the radical groups on college campuses and elsewhere pushing pro-Palestinian ideology.)

Significant concerns abound and have been shared here on multiple occasions. However, as President Trump makes his way to the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE) to negotiate, this week may be one of the most critical of his current term in the White House. The decisions made this week have the potential to bring Bible prophecy right to our doorstep or could provide a season of reprieve.

Decisions this week will require clarity of mind and wisdom from above. Israelis doesn’t always “have it right,” but the God of Israel does. Deception plays a huge part in the negotiations of Islamic leaders. The US team must NOT be drawn into it. Let’s join together in asking the Lord to pour out wisdom upon President Trump, Steve Witkoff, and the foreign leaders involved in negotiations. May every effort to deceive be immediately uncovered, and may President Trump and his team not be fooled by it.