Conflicting Messages Stoke Fears Among Families Of Hostages Held In Gaza

Conflicting messages from nan U.S. and Israeli governments are raising concerns among nan families of hostages held successful Gaza. An Israeli charismatic contradicted a connection from President Donald Trump, successful which nan U.S. president said 3 of nan 24 hostages antecedently believed live are dead.

In response, Israel’s leader connected hostage negotiations said 2 twelve captives held by Hamas successful Gaza since nan Oct. 7, 2023, attacks are still alive. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to lend credence to Trump’s assertion.

What did Trump say?

Trump said to reporters successful nan Oval Office Tuesday, May 6, astir nan ongoing hostage business successful Gaza. He said he said pinch respective hostages precocious released by Hamas, who told him nan number of surviving hostages had decreased. 

Trump told nan media he asked nan erstwhile hostages really galore were left. According to Trump, “They said, well, only 24 are living. But now, it’s 21. That was a week ago. But now, it’s 21 are living.” 

What are Israeli officials saying?

Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for issues relating to captives, posted connected X that Hamas holds 59 hostages, 24 of whom are live and 35 of whom are dead, asserting nan numbers person remained unchanged since earlier Trump spoke. 

Shortly aft Hirsch’s station connected X, Netanyahu put retired a video statement acknowledging location is “doubt” that 3 of nan hostages successful Gaza are alive, though he did not uncover their identities.

How are hostage families responding?

The unclear messaging is stoking fears among nan families of hostages still held successful Gaza and nan destiny of really galore whitethorn really beryllium live amid Israel’s enhanced crushed battle successful nan region and stalled negotiations complete a caller hostage deal.

Why are nan hostages’ fates unclear?

The mixed messaging could beryllium because Israel’s intelligence has yet to person signs that immoderate hostages are still live but must see them surviving until they tin corroborate their deaths, according to The Times of Israel.

On April 29, Netanyahu’s woman Sara angered hostages’ families calling for an extremity to nan warfare erstwhile she said nan number of captives still live stood astatine less than 24, The Times of Israel noted.

Amid nan dread from families of those held hostage, Hirsch says nan Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) support successful interaction pinch nan families and make judge they person nan astir up-to-date information. 

“The IDF maintains continuous interaction pinch nan families of each nan hostages and we are disposable to them for updates, clarifications and IDF reviews successful various ways and astatine immoderate time,” Hirsch wrote connected X. “All nan families of nan hostages are ever updated pinch nan accusation we person astir their loved ones.”

Escalating conflict

Questions complete nan hostages’ destiny travel arsenic Israel approved plans this week to return complete nan Gaza Strip for an undisclosed magnitude of clip while it vows to free nan remaining hostages and dismantle Hamas and its capabilities. Families of nan hostages reportedly fearfulness that escalating nan warfare could further jeopardize nan lives of those still held by Hamas. Hirsch said 5 of nan remaining hostages, surviving and dead, are overseas nationals. One of those is an American.

The backstory

Hamas abducted more than 250 people connected Oct. 7, 2023, during a violent onslaught astatine a euphony show that near astir 1,200 group dormant successful Israel. Israel’s warfare against Hamas successful Gaza has continued since nan first attack. The warfare successful Gaza has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to nan Gaza Health Ministry, and near nan region successful ruins.