Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza before Donald Trump takes office as US President are hopeful for their release. Trump may take more aggressive steps than current President Joe Biden to free Israeli hostages from Hamas control. Donald Trump’s press secretary has given information in this regard. Trump may play the role of the main negotiator for the Gaza hostages.
According to the Axios report, Trump’s new press secretary at the White House, Carolyn Levitt, has said that the new US president will restore tough sanctions on Iran and strongly support Israel. She said, ‘Donald Trump will play a key role for America and work to bring innocent civilians who are being held hostage back home.’
In a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Hajj, Donald Trump was told that Israeli intelligence believes that half of the 101 hostages, including 7 Americans, or 50 to 55, are still alive in Gaza. Hajj insisted to Trump that you have to save the hostages. Trump expressed surprise at this, saying that he thought most of the hostages were dead.
Donald Trump has called for an early end to the Gaza war. Some Israeli officials see Trump as a president who has more influence over Netanyahu than Biden. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said that Trump should issue a statement immediately and clearly demand the release of all hostages.
Despite more than a year of fighting in Gaza, Israel has not been able to free its hostages. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire and the release of hostages have been stalled for more than three months. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed ending the war in exchange for a prisoner release deal. He sees it as a sign of Israel’s defeat. In such a situation, there is uncertainty about the release of the hostages.
