Trump Reveals: "We Know Where Hostage Ran Gvili Is"

During a wide-ranging press conference at the White House summarizing his first year in his second term, President Donald Trump addressed the status of the final deceased Israeli hostage still held in Gaza, Ran Gvili. "We think we know where Ran Gvili is," Trump said. He continued, "I returned all 20 living hostages and the other 28 deceased ones. There is one last one. We think we know where he is. I always said it would be hard to get the last living one and the remaining 28 bodies of the dead." Trump emphasized the difficulty in securing the return of deceased hostages compared to living ones.

Hamas responded swiftly through its spokesperson. "We provided all the information we have regarding Ran Gvili," the spokesman stated. He added, "We acted positively regarding efforts to search for him. Israel repeatedly delayed search efforts in areas beyond the Yellow Line. We update the mediators directly on efforts to reach him and are ready to cooperate with the mediators and guarantors of the agreement in any effort that will lead to finding the body, but Israel exploits the non-finding to evade its obligations from the first phase."

On Iran, Trump remained cautious. "We'll see what happens with them. They canceled the executions," he said, referring to reports that Iran had halted planned hangings of protesters. He recalled earlier warnings, "They were going to hang 837 people and I let them know that if that happened it would be a very bad day for them. And they decided not to do it, they didn't hang them. We'll have to see what happens. Is the military option still on the table? I don't know."

Trump also touched on the newly established Peace Council for Gaza, criticizing the United Nations. "We are establishing the Peace Council. The UN didn't help me with one war, I'm not blaming them. They love me, and I love them. Everyone gave me a Nobel nomination." When asked if the Peace Council would replace the UN, he replied, "It doesn't fulfill its potential. I'd like to see it continue to work. It should have ended all the wars I ended."

The Mengistu family, whose son Avraham endured a decade in Hamas captivity before returning in February 2025, reacted to Trump's statement on Gvili. "Trump's words prove what we've been saying for three months, Hamas knows exactly where our son is and is deliberately violating President Trump's outline and the agreement to return all hostages. Now the responsibility falls on the Israeli government and the American administration to apply all their weight and ensure Hamas fulfills its part or face sanctions. President Trump looked us in the eyes with tears and promised to bring our Rani home. We have no doubt he is a man of his word and we will see Rani home soon."

Trump highlighted other achievements, including alleged destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities via B-2 bombers in Operation Midnight Hammer, which he said closed out Operation Am Kalvia. He accused CNN of fake news for reporting incomplete damage. On domestic issues he mentioned barring transgender individuals from military service and threatened 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne after President Macron declined to join the Peace Council. Regarding Greenland and Diego Garcia, he said, "You'll find out yourself," and opposed transferring Diego Garcia to Mauritius. He criticized Norway over the Nobel Peace Prize, noting he ended eight wars without receiving it.

The press conference ended with Trump taking two more questions before a scheduled call with Turkish President Erdogan, whom he described as greatly liked. The remarks on Gvili renewed hope among hostage families while underscoring ongoing tensions with Hamas terrorists over full implementation of the release agreement.