As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, hopes are rising among hostage families and some Israeli officials that he may succeed in securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, a feat that has so far eluded President Biden, reported Axios.
Meanwhile, Trump’s new press secretary at the White House, Karoline Leavitt, informed the media that the newly elected US president will reinstate stricter sanctions on Iran, combat terrorism, and support Israel.
“President Trump will serve as America’s Negotiator in Chief and work to get innocent civilians held hostage home,” she said.
During a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Trump was informed that Israeli intelligence believes around half of the 101 hostages, including seven Americans, are still alive. Herzog emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating: “You have to save the hostages.” According to sources, Trump expressed surprise, having previously believed most hostages were dead.
The hostage situation adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has seen negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release stall for over three months.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted ending the war in exchange for a hostage deal, fearing it would signal Israeli defeat, some officials in Israel believe a recent ceasefire agreement in Lebanon could increase pressure on Hamas to negotiate.
Trump, who has called for a swift end to the Gaza war, is seen by some Israeli officials as having more leverage over Netanyahu than Biden, who has repeatedly but unsuccessfully urged Netanyahu to soften his stance.
Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, advocates for immediate action from the President-elect: “President Trump should immediately issue a clear demand for the release of all hostages, task his senior officials to begin working on this before January 20, and warn all parties of the consequences of defying the incoming U.S. president. He must be clear that the release of the hostages is a non-negotiable precondition for a ceasefire.”
With Trump’s inauguration less than two months away, the families of hostages, like Omer Neutra, an American citizen held by Hamas for over a year, are looking to the incoming president for action. In an open letter to Trump, Neutra’s parents pleaded: “We have a message for Mr. Trump: Time is of the essence. We are counting on your leadership to bring Omer home.”
