During a press conference at the White House, Trump said, “The number of Israeli hostages still alive with Hamas is likely less than 20, out of the 50 hostages held by the group.” Trump explained that he expected “Hamas to start rejecting deals when the number dropped to 20 hostages,” adding that “the group now only offers 10 hostages for any agreement.” Trump credited himself with securing the release of the other hostages. He told reporters, “This situation must end. It is extortion and it must end. The hostages would be safer if Israel quickly occupied the entire sector.”
In a direct Israeli response to Trump, retired Israeli military coordinator for prisoner affairs, Gal Hirsch, denied that Israel had any information indicating more hostages had been killed by Hamas. He said, “As far as Israel knows, there are 20 hostages alive,” confirming that “the condition of two of them is extremely concerning, and 28 of them have died.”
The forum considered that “each of the fifty hostages represents an entire world. Our sacred duty is to prevent their sacrifice and return them all home.”
