President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States is engaged in “very deep” negotiations with Hamas and called for the release of all hostages held in Gaza.
“We are in very deep negotiation with Hamas,” Trump told reporters, warning the situation would become “tough” and “nasty” if hostages were not released. He urged the group to free all captives, suggesting that “much better things will happen” if they comply. Trump added that Hamas was “asking for some things that are fine,” but did not provide details.
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According to Israeli officials, Palestinian militants abducted more than 250 people during the October 2023 attack in Israel that left about 1,200 dead. Roughly 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive. Hamas has previously said it is prepared to release some hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, while Trump has emphasized that all hostages must be freed.
Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza following the October attack. The offensive has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced the territory’s entire population, and drawn accusations of genocide and war crimes from rights groups and cases before international courts. Israel denies the allegations, saying its campaign is aimed at defeating Hamas and securing its citizens.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the conflict will not end unless all hostages are released, Hamas is disarmed, Israel establishes security control over Gaza, and a new civilian administration replaces Hamas governance. Hamas, in contrast, has demanded an end to Israel’s military operations and a complete withdrawal from Gaza.
Trump, who has pledged a rapid resolution to the Gaza war as part of his campaign, has yet to detail how negotiations might achieve that outcome.
