President Trump Says US In ‘Very Deep Negotiations’ To Secure Release Of Hostages Held By Hamas

US President Donald Trump announced that his administration is conducting ‘very deep negotiations’ with Hamas to secure the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

He cautioned that failure to strike a deal could put Israel in a ‘tough situation’, emphasising that the issue remains a top priority for Washington.

Responding to a reporter’s question in the Oval Office, Trump acknowledged that while Israel must make its own choices, the path forward would not be simple.

He said, “In my opinion, it’s going to be nasty, though it is Israel’s choice.”

He urged Hamas to free the hostages immediately, adding bluntly: “They gotta let them out.”

President Trump emphasised the grief of families whose relatives were killed or remain in captivity.

He described victims as ‘young beautiful dead people’ and said parents of the slain often express a desire for justice as deeply as the families of those still alive.

He added that the families want their relatives back very badly, along with everything that goes with it, which makes the situation very sad.

Hostage Numbers and Hamas Demands

Trump said he believes around 20 hostages remain alive in Gaza, but admitted concerns that some may have died recently.

He added, “I hope that is wrong.”

He also revealed that Hamas continues to make demands, some of which he called ‘fine’, but reminded reporters of the October 7 attacks.

“You have to put that into the equation very strongly,” Trump warned, noting that people seem to forget the scale of that assault.

Trump credited his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and businessman Steve Witkoff for earlier efforts that secured hostage releases. He stressed, however, that freeing the final captives would be far more difficult, since it often requires major concessions.

He also pointed to mass demonstrations in Israel demanding a hostage deal, arguing that such pressure complicates Israel’s ability to continue its military campaign.