Hostages free of Gaza visited President Donald Trump within the Oval Workplace to inform him that his re-election to the White Home gave them hope after a whole lot of days in Hamas captivity.
In a Thursday press occasion, U.S. Particular Envoy to the Center East Steve Witkoff advised reporters that seven folks free of Gaza, together with a few of their family members, met with the president this week to share their horrific tales of abduction, extreme abuse and time in captivity.
One Israeli hostage, Omer Shem Tov, who was freed on Feb. 22, advised the president that he believed Trump had “been despatched by God” to safe their launch.
HAMAS TREATMENT OF HOSTAGES ‘INTOLERABLE,’ TRUMP ENVOY SAYS
President Donald Trump met with seven hostages free of Hamas captivity. (Photograph supplied by Hostages Households Discussion board)
“They talked about how they heard about his election, they usually had been uplifted,” Witkoff stated of the assembly. “They had been elated ready for him as a result of they knew he was going to assist them get rescued.”
Witkoff, who described the occasion as “emotional,” additionally reiterated the Trump administration’s dedication to securing the discharge of extra hostages.
Stories this week revealed that the Trump administration has begun straight negotiating with Hamas – a revelation that apparently pissed off Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Particulars of the negotiations stay unclear, although stories instructed the Trump staff had proposed a 60-day ceasefire and the discharge of a further 10 hostages – although who can be included within the subsequent launch stays unclear as there are 25 hostages nonetheless assessed to be alive, together with one American.
“Edan Alexander is essential to us as – all of the hostages are – however Edan Alexander is an American, and he is injured. And so, he is a prime precedence for us,” Witkoff advised reporters.
AFTER TRUMP THREAT, HAMAS REFUSES TO RELEASE MORE HOSTAGES WITHOUT PHASE 2 CEASEFIRE DEAL
Steve Witkoff, White Home particular envoy for the Center East, accompanied by White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaks with reporters on the White Home in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, March 6. (AP/Ben Curtis)
Witkoff confirmed that Adam Boehler, particular envoy accountable for hostages, had been concerned within the latest negotiations trying to safe the second section of the ceasefire settlement which is meant to see the discharge of the remaining hostages.
“We really feel that Hamas has not been forthright with us. And it is time for them to be forthright with us,” Witkoff stated. “Edan Alexander can be a vital present.”
Trump issued one other warning on social media this week, telling Hamas to launch all hostages instantly. Although Hamas has up to now responded by saying they are going to solely start the discharge of extra hostages if a second section within the ceasefire is agreed to.
A girl holds a picture of hostage Edan Alexander throughout the World Day of Unity and Prayer with Israel’s Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board, which represents the family of these taken captive by Palestinian Hamas militants throughout the October 7 assault. (YURI CORTEZ/AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
There are 59 hostages nonetheless held by Hamas, together with one particular person who was taken by the terrorist group separate from the October 2023 assaults.
Some 35 hostages are assessed to have been killed by Hamas and whose our bodies are nonetheless being held, together with 4 People: Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai – all of whom are believed to have been killed on Oct. 7, 2023.
