Trump calls for the release of captives and claims that the US is in “very deep” talks with Hamas

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington was in “very deep” negotiations with Palestinian militant group Hamas and urged them to release all hostages held in Gaza.

“We are in very deep negotiation with Hamas,” Trump told reporters, adding that if Hamas keeps holding Israeli prisoners, the situation will be “tough” and “nasty.”

“Let them all go, let them all go now,” we said. Trump said that Hamas was “asking for some things that are fine.” “And much better things will happen for them but if you don’t let them all out, it’s going to be a tough situation, it’s going to be nasty,” he said.

Trump didn’t go into additional detail.

Following an October 2023 attack in Israel that killed over 1,200 people, according to Israeli estimates, Palestinian militants transported more than 250 hostages into Gaza.

American ally Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s subsequent attack on Gaza, which has also caused the whole population to be internally displaced and led to claims of war crimes and genocide from a number of rights organizations and international courts. Israel refutes the charges.

During his campaign for president, Trump pledged to put an immediate end to the bloodshed in Gaza, but a solution has proven elusive.

In Gaza, Hamas is still holding some 50 Israeli hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

Trump has stated repeatedly that he wants all captives released, while Hamas has stated that it would release some in exchange for a short-term ceasefire.

The conflict in Gaza will only stop, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, if all hostages are freed, Hamas is disarmed, Israel takes security control of the territory, and a civilian government is established. Hamas is calling for Israel to leave Gaza and for the war to end.