Marc Fogel, a "wrongfully detained" American, released thanks to Trump

Marc Fogel, an American teacher considered to be wrongfully detained and imprisoned by Russia according to the United States, was released today (Tuesday) in a deal brokered by US Envoy Steve Witkoff.

According to the Associated Press, Fogel was arrested for possessing what he called necessary medical marijuana and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. The Biden administration determined that he had been "wrongfully detained."

US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said that President Trump negotiated a deal to get Fogel out, though no details were provided as to what the United States gave Russia to secure Fogel's release.

Russia has forced exchanges of American prisoners for some of its own criminals in the past, some of them considered highly dangerous, such as Viktor Bout, a notorious arms salesman called the "merchant of death" and portrayed by actor Nicholas Cage in the movie Lord of War. He was released from prison in exchange for American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was arrested for possessing a small amount of marijuana.

Waltz also said that the exchange is "a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine," according to the AP. Trump has repeatedly stressed his desire to end the war in Ukraine.

The AP said that Fogel's relatives were "beyond grateful, relieved and overwhelmed” that he was coming home.

“This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal,” they said. “For the first time in years, our family can look forward to the future with hope.”

Meanwhile, in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has unanimously endorsed President Trump's ultimatum to Hamas to free all the hostages by Saturday or "all hell" will break loose and the ceasefire will end, leading to renewed war.