Trump: 20 people that we want Hamas to release

Trump: 20 people that we want Hamas to release

US President Donald Trump has renewed his call for the Hamas terror group to release all 20 hostages currently being held in Gaza, stating that doing so could rapidly end the ongoing conflict. This latest intervention comes as the international community continues to press for a resolution to the hostage crisis and the broader war in Gaza.

Trump, who has been vocal about the need for Israel to end the war quickly, made his demand public on Truth Social, a social media platform he frequently uses. He emphasized that the release of all 20 hostages is non-negotiable, stating, "Tell Hamas to IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 Hostages (Not 2 or 5 or 7!), and things will change rapidly. IT WILL END!" [1]

The 20 hostages are believed to be alive, according to Israeli officials, but there are concerns about the well-being of two others. This number includes the bodies of at least 26 confirmed dead, with one of the deceased being Hadar Goldin, an IDF soldier killed in Gaza in 2014. The total number of hostages held by Hamas is 48, including 47 abducted on October 7, 2023 [1].

The US president's latest intervention has sparked concern among the families of the hostages, who are hoping for a swift resolution. Gal Hirsch, the government's point man on the hostages, has stated that Israel is not aware of any change to the number of living hostages, despite Trump's claims [1].

In response to Trump's renewed call, Hamas has signaled its readiness for a comprehensive Gaza deal involving the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. This development comes after repeated stalled negotiations on a possible exchange [2].

The international community has been actively involved in efforts to resolve the crisis. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy held a deeply moving meeting with families of hostages and reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire and lasting peace. He also denounced the Israeli government's refusal to allow sufficient aid into Gaza, stating that the humanitarian crisis is a man-made famine [1].

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has had significant financial implications for both Israel and the international community. The Israeli Defense Forces have estimated that the operation to take over Gaza City could take four to five months, with subsequent operations planned for the refugee camps in the central Strip. The humanitarian crisis has also drawn global attention, with many young people around the world expressing horror at the situation [1].

References:
[1] https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-tells-hamas-to-give-back-all-20-hostages-and-it-will-end/
[2] https://anewz.tv/world/world-news/12710/hamas-signals-readiness-for-prisoner-swap-after-trump-remark/news