As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, hostage families and some Israeli officials are increasingly hopeful that he will succeed in securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, a feat that has so far ‘has now eluded President Biden, Axios reported.
Meanwhile, Trump’s new White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, informed the media that the newly elected US president would reinstate tougher sanctions on Iran, fight terrorism and support Israel.
“President Trump will serve as America’s chief negotiator and work to bring home innocent civilians held hostage,” she said.
In a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Trump was informed that Israeli intelligence estimated that about half of the 101 hostages, including seven Americans, were still alive. Herzog emphasized the urgency of the situation by saying: “You must save the hostages.” According to sources, Trump expressed surprise, previously believing most of the hostages were dead.
The hostage situation adds another level of complexity to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has seen negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages stalled for more than three months.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted ending the war in exchange for a hostage deal, fearing it would mean an Israeli defeat, some Israeli officials believe that a recent ceasefire agreement in Lebanon could increase pressure on Hamas to negotiate.
Trump, who has called for a quick end to the war in Gaza, is seen by some Israeli officials as having more influence 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, calls for immediate action from the president-elect: “President Trump should immediately issue a clear demand for the release of all hostages, instruct his senior officials to begin work there before January 20. , and warn all parties of the consequences of challenging the new American president. It must be clear that the release of hostages is a non-negotiable precondition for a ceasefire. »
Less than two months before Trump’s inauguration, the families of hostages, like Omer Neutra, an American citizen detained by Hamas for more than a year, expect the new president to act. In an open letter to Trump, Neutra’s parents pleaded: “We have a message for Mr. Trump: Time is running out. We are counting on your leadership to bring Omer home. »