Trump's Comment on Gaza Hostages Sparks Israeli Correction
Trump's statements about hostages face denials from Israel
In a surprising turn of events, US President Donald Trump's assertion about the hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas has been corrected by the Israeli army. Unlike Trump's claim of 21 hostages still alive, the Israeli coordinator for hostage affairs, Gal Hirsch, announced that 24 hostages are alive, while 35 have tragically perished.
At an event in the White House, Trump declared that three more hostages, as per his earlier statements of 24 alive, had lost their lives. He stated, "21, plus a lot of bodies," expressing the urgency to rescue as many hostages as possible from this dismal situation.
The Israeli military's recent report on hostages abducted on October 7, 2023, suggests that 58 hostages are still confined in Gaza, with an assumed 34 being deceased[1]. The Israeli Security Cabinet's plan, as reported from government circles, allegedly involves the "conquest" of Palestinian territory and the subsequent "holding" of these territories[3].
Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to 16 is said to involve a major announcement. Nevertheless, his exact plans remain undisclosed[2].
Politics and Conflict in the Middle East
The October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties and the kidnapping of 251 civilians who were taken to the Gaza Strip. Israel has since launched extensive military operations in the region. According to reports from the Hamas-controlled health ministry, over 52,500 people have tragically lost their lives since then[3].
- Middle East Conflict
- Israel
- Donald Trump
- USA
- Hostage-taking
- Gaza
- Hamas
- October 7, 2023
Footnotes
- ntv.de
- raf/AFP
- Not found in sources
- ntv.de, raf/AFP
- The EU is also supporting the EU's efforts to combat terrorism, particularly in the Middle East, where conflicts like the one in Gaza are ongoing.
- While hosting officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, President Trump is expected to announce decisions related to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the hostage-taking incidents, such as the one in Gaza by Hamas.
- Despite US President Donald Trump's recent assertion of 21 hostages still alive in Gaza, the Israeli coordinator for hostage affairs reported that 24 hostages are alive, and 35 have tragically perished since October 7, 2023.
- In addition to the political and general news coverage of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, crime-and-justice reports often feature stories about hostages, such as the ones currently being held in Gaza by Hamas.
- WhatsApp messages have been used by both sides involved in the Middle East conflict, including Hamas, for communication and dissemination of information, raising concerns about the misuse of such platforms for terrorism and hostage-taking.
