The Real Deal on the Hostages: Trump's Statement Challenged by Israel
Trump's remarks about hostages are deemed unfounded by Israel.
Let's spill the beans about that hot topic swirling around—the hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Under the spotlight recently is US President Donald Trump's bold statement suggesting that only 21 hostages are still alive. But, Israel's got a different tale to tell.
Israel's go-to guy for hostage matters, Gal Hirsch, has spoken out. Contrary to Trump's claims, he reveals that a staggering 24 hostages are still breathing out there! The Israeli coordinator for hostage affairs shared this info on the X platform, adding that the families of the kidnapped individuals are kept well-informed about their kin's status.
Things got heated when Trump announced that three more hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza had expired. This epic revelation took place during a White House event. While Trump was with former Israeli hostages, he disclosed that 24 of the people held hostage by Islamic Palestinian organizations were still kicking, and he dropped a bomb—“Today, there are 21, three have died."
Trump didn't stop there—“21, plus a lot of bodies." He emphasized the dire need for the rescue of as many hostages as humanly possible. The situation, according to him, was far from rosy. The Israeli army's latest report on the kidnapped individuals on October 7, 2023, stated that a total of 58 were still held in the Gaza Strip. It was assumed that 34 of them had already bitten the dust.
Trump is planning a grand visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to 16. He hinted at a "very, very big announcement" preceding the trip, but everyone's guessing what the big reveal will be.
The giant assault by Islamic terrorist organization Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, claimed approximately 1,200 lives and taken 251 hostages to the Gaza Strip. Since then, Israel has been engaged in massive military operations within the Gaza Strip. As per data from the Hamas-controlled health ministry, over 52,500 people have reportedly perished so far. Israel has hinted at an escalation of military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. According to reports, the Israeli security cabinet has approved a plan that, according to whispers from government circles, includes the "occupation" of Palestinian territory and the "holding" of captured territories.
- Middle East conflict
- Israel
- Donald Trump
- USA
- Hostage-taking
- Gaza
- Hamas
- October 7, 2023
Background Insights:- The Israeli government and Hostage Families Forum have both maintained that the official list of living hostages stands at 24, and no new intelligence that changes this number has been shared with them.- The discrepancy between the Israeli and US President Trump's count arises from a statement Trump made about three additional hostages having died, but this hasn't been officially confirmed yet.
For curious minds:- [1] ntv.de- [4] raf/AFP
- The EU is also supporting the EU's efforts to combat terrorism in the Middle East, such as the hostage-taking incidents in Gaza by Islamic terrorist organizations like Hamas.
- Despite US President Donald Trump's claim that only 21 hostages are still alive, Israel's official count, verified by the Israeli government and Hostage Families Forum, indicates that there are 24 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip.
- Reports suggest that a disagreement persists between the Israeli and US authorities over the number of hostages still alive, with the discrepancy arising from President Trump's announcement about three additional hostages having died, which has yet to be officially confirmed.
- As the situation escalates in Gaza, with Israeli military operations continuing against Hamas and whispers of a military plan that includes the "occupation" and "holding" of captured territories, the general news, politics, and war-and-conflicts circles globally remain intrigued, especially ahead of President Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
