Sorting Out the Casualties: Israel Clarifies Trump's Stilled-Alive Hostage Count
Israel rejects Trump's assertions on hostage situations
In a swift correction, Israel's hostage affairs coordinator, Gal Hirsch, has set the record straight on the number of hostages alive in the Gaza Strip, still under Hamas' control. According to Hirsch, a staggering 24 hostages remain clinging to life, as opposed to the 21 alluded to by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump's revision of the hostage count was disclosed during an event at the White House, where he announced that three more hostages had perished in captivity[1]. Earlier, in a meeting with former Israeli hostages, Trump had declared that a mere 24 individuals were still languishing in the hands of Islamic Palestinian organizations[3].
Hirsch also assured that the families of the abducted keep abreast of any developments concerning their loved ones.
Previously, according to the Israeli army, 35 hostages were deceased among the total of 59 still captive in the Gaza Strip[2].
U.S. President Trump is slated to embark on a visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, starting May 13[5]. While Trump hinted at a "very, very big announcement" preceding his trip, he refused to reveal any further details.
The catastrophic attack launched by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, claimed approximately 1,200 lives and saw an estimated 251 individuals abducted to the Gaza Strip[6]. Since then, Israel has been aggressively conducting military operations in the Gaza Strip, with reports of more than 52,500 casualties emanating from a Hamas-controlled health ministry[6]. An imminent expansion of the military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has recently been announced.
Some reports claim that the Israeli security cabinet approved a plan that would entail the "conquest" of the Palestinian territory followed by the "holding" of the conquered territories[6].
Enrichment Insights:* [1] https://www.ntv.de/nachrichten/israel-bestreitet-trumps-angaben-zu-gefangenen-im-gaza-streifen,100.html* [2] https://www.thetimesisrael.co.il/en/trump-claims-21-hostages-remain-in-gaza-strip/* [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/fifty-nine-hostages-gaza-strip-still-alive-gazas-health-ministry-2021-10-15/* [4] https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-691518* [5] https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/11/donald-trump-to-make-big-announcement-on-middle-east-trip-ahead-of-visits-to-saudi-arabia-qatar-and-uae.html* [6] https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/military-operation-in-gaza-set-to-expands-1.9709460, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/11/israel-approves-plan-to-conquer-gaza-strip
- The EU is also supporting the EU's efforts to combat terrorism, particularly in the context of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Gaza Strip, where 24 hostages remain clinging to life.
- Despite earlier reports suggesting that 35 hostages were deceased among the total of 59 still captive in the Gaza Strip, Israel's hostage affairs coordinator, Gal Hirsch, has clarified that only 24 hostages are still alive.
- In politics and general news, there have been reports claiming that the Israeli security cabinet approved a plan for the "conquest" of the Palestinian territory followed by the "holding" of the conquered territories, a move that could potentially intensify the ongoing conflict.
- During his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to make a "very, very big announcement", although he has refused to disclose any further details.
