We have close to 40 hostages deceased. Many of them died in those terrible tunnels," Trump said, recounting emotional talks with families seeking their loved ones' bodies. "The parents want them every bit as much, almost more, than as if their son or daughter were alive."
His estimate sharply clashes with Israel's assessment of 20 alive and 28 dead. Israeli officials and hostage families have pushed back, with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum warning that the Gaza City offensive heightens risks to those still captive.
Trump's comments echo his escalating pessimism this month. On September 8, he remarked that fewer than 20 may be alive since "they tend to die," estimating "about 38 bodies [meaning there are only 10 living]." Days earlier, on September 6, he suggested some of the presumed 20 alive "may have recently died," amid "very deep" U.S.-Hamas talks. On September 3, he demanded Hamas release "all 20 hostages" to end the war swiftly.
Trump has floated U.S. proposals, including freeing all 48 hostages on day one in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and pausing the operation, which Israel is weighing. Social media clips of his Friday statements quickly circulated, highlighting the gap with Israeli figures. Hamas has not commented, as negotiations stall amid the nearly two-year war sparked by the October 7, 2023, attack.
Channel 14's Tamir Morag explained, “I suggest not getting worked up over the numbers President Trump cites. He has many qualities, but accuracy in data, unfortunately, is not one of them.”
