Trump: 'In very deep negotiations with Hamas'

Trump: 'In very deep negotiations with Hamas'

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The U.S. president said that the protests put Israel in a problematic situation, and also referred to the fallen hostages: "The parents want them as if they are alive". Out of the 22 hostages officially defined as living, 19 have given some kind of sign from captivity. These are their messages — and these are the families still waiting for certainty, or for closure

After families of fallen hostages said it was like "an arrow to the heart" to hear the U.S. president speak about their loved ones, Donald Trump said last night (Friday): "There are more than 30 bodies in the negotiations. We are holding talks to get them out — the parents want them so much — as if they were alive. It’s a sad situation".

Trump repeated his statement that "better things will happen" for Hamas if it releases the hostages: “If they don’t come out — it will be a tough situation. Nasty. That’s my opinion". He added that It is Israel’s choice: "The negotiations are happening right now".

For more than a month, families of hostages have been fighting against the cabinet’s decision to “take control” of Gaza City, a move they say endangers the lives of their loved ones. The IDF insists it has a general sense of where the hostages are held, But in footage released by Hamas yesterday, Guy Gilboa-Dalal is seen apparently being transported in a vehicle through Gaza’s streets — an area where the army is expected to step up operations in the coming weeks.

"In recent days, families of hostages have received phone calls from official sources. I can tell you with certainty — the Israeli government is working to prepare the ground for another murder of the hostages", said Yishai Miran-Lavi yesterday, the wife of hostage Omri Miran. "This is not a theory, this is not a fear, this is coming from official and senior figures", she added.

Amid these grave concerns, video footage of Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ahel was released yesterday morning. In the clip, Gilboa Dalal is seen riding in a vehicle and says that he is being filmed in Gaza City on August 28, 2025. His family permitted the release of short excerpts, in which he can be heard saying: "All we want is for this to end. We want to return to our families. Please, bring us back".

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