Arab-Israeli Conflict

Trump says Hamas won’t release hostages, ‘more military pressure is required’

Trump: “I have one thing to say: Remember October 7.”

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Speaking to Axios, U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not expect Hamas to release the hostages now and that “more military pressure is needed.”

Although he sent Special Envoy Steve Witkoff repeatedly to the Middle East to negotiate a cease-fire and hostage release deal, Trump now acknowledges that such an agreement is unlikely to materialize.

“They [Hamas] are not going to release the hostages in the current situation. I think it will be very difficult to achieve that,” he said.

Trump did not indicate whether he approved of the Israeli prime minister’s decision to scale up military operations in Gaza and take Gaza City. However, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the two leaders spoke on the phone Sunday and discussed Israel’s plans to capture Gaza City, defeat Hamas and release the hostages.

Trump also referred to the conversation and called it “a good call.”

Hamas “cannot stay in Gaza,” the president said.

“I have one thing to say: Remember October 7; remember October 7,” Trump told Axios, echoing Netanyahu’s statements during his press conference that “there are those who have forgotten October 7.”

Last week, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed as “fake news” NBC’s reports that Trump yelled at him on the phone concerning allegations of starvation in Gaza. The report was “completely false,” the PMO said, calling it “fake news.”

Share
Published by
Miriam Metzinger
Tags: gaza war hamas hostages Netanyahu October 7 Trump

Recent Posts

  • Analysis & Opinion

Pollard: Israel must stop waiting for the next October 7

The murder of Netanel Shakron in front of his teenage son on Erev Yom Kippur…

2 hours ago
  • Videos

WATCH: Brad Lander calls on Jews to repent for Gaza genocide transgressions

During a Yom Kippur service at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, Democrat congressional nominee Brad…

4 hours ago
  • Arab-Israeli Conflict

Board of Peace: ‘All parties’ must fulfill Gaza plan commitments

The board, chaired by Trump, was established in January as an oversight organization to push…

4 hours ago
  • Israel News

Israeli chess teams forfeit matches after FIDE ‘breaches’ Yom Kippur understanding

The Israel Chess Federation went on to say that it will demand explanations from FIDE…

5 hours ago
  • Videos

WATCH: Hezbollah MP boasts of Houthi ties, claims terror group ready to fight Israel from Lebanon

Hezbollah MP Ihab Hamade claimed that if the border with Israel were open, millions would…

5 hours ago
  • Jewish Diaspora & Antisemitism

Canadian leaders condemn shooting outside Ontario synagogue at the start of Yom Kippur

Some 20 to 30 shots were fired, with some hitting nearby vehicles and homes.

5 hours ago