Trump said U.S.-Hamas talks continue but warned some of Gaza’s remaining hostages may already be dead.
President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. is in “very deep negotiations with Hamas” to secure the release of about 20 Israeli hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza, though he warned some may have “recently died.”
“It’s 20 people, but I think of the 20 there could be some that have recently died is what I’m hearing. I hope that’s wrong,” Trump told reporters at the White House. Israel’s military has not confirmed the claim.
Israel estimates 47 hostages remain, with 27 dead. About 250 were captured during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack; 146 have since been freed.
Families of the hostages thanked Trump for his efforts but criticized Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza, where the army bombed a high-rise building Friday.
Trump insisted Hamas must be neutralized, warning, “It’s going to be nasty… but they gotta let them out.”