Israel struck a hospital in Gaza early Tuesday, a day after briefly pausing military activity for the release of Israeli-American Edan Alexander by Hamas.

Two Democrat-led lawsuits are the latest legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s efforts to deny funding to states with “sanctuary” policies.

U.S. officials told families of hostages still held in Gaza they see a better chance of a deal for their release after Washington reached an accord with militant group Hamas for an American hostage that largely bypassed the Israeli government.

But Brett McGurk, a former top Middle East policy official for administrations of both parties, told CNN’s Jake Tapper that the release – apparently timed by Hamas to coincide with Trump’s Middle East trip – was a “great moment, a great day.” He added: “I give the administration credit for (continuing) pushing; you never give up.”

Edan Alexander was 19 when Hamas militants stormed the Israeli military base where the American-Israeli from New Jersey was a soldier and dragged him into the Gaza Strip.

A look at some of today's top trending headlines including the latest updates on China trade talks, Hamas hostage release plans and much more.

Emily Damari, who is visiting the UK for the first time since her release, tells of how happy she is to be "home finally".

Former Israeli hostage Emily Damari is speaking out after a Palestinian writer who attacked her on social media was awarded a Pulitzer Prize.