US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington is engaged in “very deep” negotiations with Hamas. He urged the group to release all hostages being held in Gaza.
Speaking at the White House, Trump warned Hamas of serious consequences if the captives are not freed. “If you don’t let them all out, it’s going to be a tough situation. It’s going to be nasty,” he told reporters.
He noted that about 20 hostages remain in Gaza, but some may have recently died. “I hope that’s wrong,” Trump said. “There are 20 people, maybe a little less, but there are 20 people that we want out. We want the bodies.”
According to Israeli figures, nearly 50 Israeli hostages are still being held in Gaza. Around 20 of them are believed to be alive. The abductions followed the Hamas-led cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
On the other hand, Palestinian and Israeli rights groups report that more than 10,400 Palestinians are currently imprisoned in Israel. Many detainees face harsh conditions, including torture, lack of food, and medical neglect, leading to numerous deaths.
Mediation efforts have continued for months. On August 18, Hamas accepted a ceasefire and hostage deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar. Israel has not formally responded. Instead, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered preparations to expand operations in Gaza City.
Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign has killed nearly 64,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza authorities. The war has devastated the enclave, pushing its population toward famine.
The conflict has also raised legal challenges for Israel. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes in Gaza. Separately, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
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