‘We Know Where the Hostages Are In Some Cases’: Trump Discusses Risks of Rescue Operation for Gaza Captives

Latest Developments

Trump Concerned for Safety of Hostages: President Donald Trump expressed concern about the Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza during a meeting in Scotland with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. “We know where the hostages are in some cases, we don’t want to go to those exact areas because that means the hostages will be killed,” he emphasized. Of the more than 250 hostages seized by Hamas terrorists during their mass atrocities in Israel on October 7, 2023, 50 remain in Gaza, of whom 20 are believed to be alive.
Hamas Didn’t Want Ceasefire Deal: Trump’s comments came after U.S.-led ceasefire talks with Hamas collapsed last week. Trump stated afterwards that Hamas “didn’t really want to make a deal,” while the administration’s chief negotiator, U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, stated that “Hamas does not appear to be coordinating or acting in good faith.” Lacking a deal, Trump said that he and Netanyahu were discussing “various plans” to free the hostages. Separately, Khalil al-Hayya, a prominent Hamas leader based in Qatar, told an Iranian news agency that the terrorist organization had “engaged in difficult negotiations with our people’s interest and blood in mind,” claiming that negotiators had “shown maximum flexibility without compromising our national principles and responded positively to mediators at every stage.”
Trump Supports More Aid For Gaza: Trump and Starmer agreed that more humanitarian aid was needed in Gaza, with Trump contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assessment of the humanitarian situation in the coastal enclave. Trump suggested that the United States would establish additional humanitarian aid distribution centers without fences, “where people can walk in,” adding: “We made a contribution, a week ago, of $60 million — all going into food. We only hope the food goes to the people that need it, so much as you know, when you do something there, it gets taken by Hamas or somebody.”

FDD Expert Response

“Hamas could end the suffering of Gazan civilians today. They could release the hostages they haven’t murdered, lay down their weapons, and even negotiate safe passage out of Gaza. President Trump understands that. Privately, one hopes, he’s explaining that reality to Prime Minister Starmer.” — Clifford D. May, Founder and President

“The Trump administration is continuing to float proposals to incentivize Hamas to return the hostages and agree to a ceasefire deal with Israel. The disconnect comes from expecting Hamas to change its behavior. There is no amount of humanitarian aid or any distribution network that could compel Hamas to relinquish control of the hostages. The goal of Hamas is survival, and it sustains itself by controlling humanitarian aid and markets in Gaza. Policymakers must be conscious of the fact that Hamas is willing to sacrifice many innocent lives in Gaza to achieve its goals.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Government Relations at FDD Action

“Israel is in a lose-lose situation in Gaza. If it does not allow more aid in, Palestinians will likely suffer, and international pressure on Israel will multiply, encouraging Hamas not to budge in negotiations. But if Israel allows aid to resume under the previous mechanisms saddled by Hamas’s pilfering, Hamas will be able to regroup and resupply, prolonging the war and guaranteeing more Palestinian suffering. The biggest variable is the international reaction. If the international community pressures Hamas and its enablers, the Iran-backed terrorist group will not be incentivized to turn Gazans into martyrs. But if the pressure continues to be aimed at Israel, expect Hamas to double down on its strategy of increasing Palestinian suffering.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst