Former Hamas hostages are calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump and Particular Envoy to the Center East Steve Witkoff to maneuver rapidly to free the remaining hostages, even when it means halting army operations.
After American Israeli Edan Alexander’s launch earlier this week, 65 survivors of Hamas captivity urged Netanyahu, Trump and Witkoff to grab the second and “not let this historic momentum cease.”
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet on the White Home in Washington, D.C., Feb. 4, 2025. (Reuters/Elizabeth Frantz)
“We consider the Israeli authorities now faces a real alternative to return to the negotiating desk. We urge all these concerned on this course of: Please don’t stroll away till a complete deal is signed,” the letter states.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas took 251 hostages, 12 of whom have been Americans. Keith Siegel, Edan Alexander and Sagui Dekel-Chen have all been launched alive. Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s physique was taken out of Gaza in August 2023. Hamas remains to be holding the stays of a number of Individuals who’ve been confirmed lifeless: Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Judith Weinstein Haggai and Gadi Haggai.
Supporters of Israelis held hostage within the Gaza Strip since October 2023 raise placards and flags throughout a rally calling for an trade cope with the Palestinian Hamas group to deliver the remaining captives again in Jerusalem Feb. 11, 2025. (Menahem Kahanna/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
HOSTAGES FREED FROM GAZA TELL TRUMP HE WAS ‘SENT BY GOD’ TO SAVE THEM, BUT DOZENS MORE REMAIN
Siegel is among the many former hostages who signed the letter. He has beforehand thanked Trump for securing his launch, even crediting the president for his being alive. Now, he’s becoming a member of different former Hamas captives demanding freedom for many who stay in Gaza, “no matter which citizenship they maintain.”
President Donald Trump meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the Saudi Royal Courtroom Could 13, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Win McNamee/Getty Photos)
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Whereas within the Middle East within the days after Alexander’s launch, Trump has labored on making offers for the U.S., lots of which might additionally profit Israel, although the newest slate of offers appears to be unrelated to the remaining hostages.
The president requested Syria to hitch the Abraham Accords and normalize ties with Israel in trade for sanctions aid. Moreover, Trump mentioned Damascus would wish to deport “Palestinian terrorists,” assist the U.S. forestall the resurgence of ISIS and assume cost of ISIS detention facilities in northeast Syria.
Netanyahu’s workplace declined to touch upon the letter. The White Home didn’t reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark in time for publication.
Fox Information Digital’s Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
