Trump suggests fewer than 20 hostages still alive; Israel denies change in figures

Gal Hirsch, coordinator of hostage negotiations, rejected Trump’s claim, saying, “According to the information we have, there is no change in the number of living hostages.”

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

US President Donald Trump said Friday that fewer than 20 hostages remain alive in Gaza, sparking anguish among families of the captives and a firm denial from Israel’s official hostage envoy.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump claimed that Hamas terrorists are holding “20, but the 20 is actually probably not 20 because a couple of them are not around any longer.” He credited his administration with securing earlier hostage releases during a temporary ceasefire and denounced Hamas’s “extortion,” adding that it might be “safer, in many ways” to free the hostages militarily.

His comments drew a swift rebuke from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which stressed: “Mr. President, there are 50 hostages. For us, each and every one of them is a world in itself.” Families criticized Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer for not briefing them directly if new information existed.

Gal Hirsch, Israel’s point man on the hostage issue, rejected Trump’s claim, saying, “According to the information we have, there is no change in the number of living hostages.” He confirmed that 20 captives are alive, two others are in grave danger, and 28 have been declared dead.

Israel maintains that Hamas and other terror groups hold 50 hostages, including bodies of those killed. The dispute over numbers comes as Israel prepares a major operation to seize Gaza City. Officials say the move is designed to defeat Hamas and secure the hostages’ release, even as international criticism mounts over the likely humanitarian impact.

Negotiations are expected to resume in the coming days, with Israel insisting on a comprehensive deal for the release of all hostages rather than the current Hamas-approved proposal that would free just half of the living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners during a 60-day truce.