U.S. President, Donald Trump said Friday, that his administration is engaged in “very deep negotiations” with Hamas over hostages held in Gaza, while warning that some of those believed to be alive may have recently died.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he had urged the group to release all captives immediately.
“We said, ‘let them all out, right now, and much better things will happen,’” he said. “If they don’t, it’s going to be a tough situation, it’s going to be nasty. Israel’s choice, but that’s my opinion.”
The president acknowledged grim reports that not all of the estimated 20 remaining hostages may still be alive.
“There could be some that recently died, is what I’m hearing. I hope that’s wrong,” Trump said.
Referring to bereaved families, Trump described the parents of slain captives as “young beautiful dead people,” and added, “They want them every bit as much, almost more, than if their son or daughter were alive.
But you have many dead people that are coming out as part of the deal.”
Trump also repeated remarks he made a day earlier on Truth Social, suggesting Hamas could avoid destruction if it releases the remaining hostages.
He credited members of his inner circle, including real estate developer Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, with helping to secure earlier releases.
“I always said when you get down to the final 10 or 20, you’re not going to get them out unless you’re going to do a lot.
And doing a lot means capitulation, that’s no good either. It’s a very tough situation,” Trump said.
The president added that ongoing pro-hostage demonstrations in Israel were complicating the country’s ability to continue military operations.
“They put Israel in a tough position,” he said. “People forget October 7, you have to put that into the equation very strongly.”
