(TJV NEWS)US President Donald Trump said Friday that fewer than 20 hostages held by terror groups in Gaza remain alive — a claim that rattled hostage families and was swiftly denied by Israel’s hostage affairs chief, according to a report by The Times of Israel.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump took credit for hostages released during the January–March ceasefire deal, condemned Hamas’s “extortion,” and stressed ongoing efforts to free the remaining captives.

“So now they have 20,” Trump told reporters. “But the 20 is actually probably not 20 because a couple of them are not around any longer.” As noted by The Times of Israel, the president offered no evidence for his assertion but insisted, “We’re doing everything we can to get the hostages out, it’s not easy.”

Trump further suggested it might be “safer, in many ways,” to free the hostages militarily rather than negotiate with Hamas. He also defended the US backing of Israel’s operation in Gaza City despite opposition from hostage families. “I’m the one who got all of the hostages out,” Trump claimed, referring to “hundreds” of releases, though fewer than 150 captives remained in Gaza when he took office in January.

Following his remarks, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a sharp statement: “Mr. President, there are 50 hostages. For us, each and every one of them is a world in itself.” As highlighted by The Times of Israel, families criticized Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer for not communicating directly with them.

‘I’m the one who got all the hostages out, if it wasn’t for me, they wouldn’t be out’

Speaking in the Oval Office, Donald Trump talks to the media about the remaining hostages in Gaza, saying ‘the situation has to end’https://t.co/JomsP48R8k pic.twitter.com/HMltLaBnJQ

— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 22, 2025

Israel’s hostage point man, Gal Hirsch, flatly rejected Trump’s numbers. “According to the information we have, there is no change in the number of living hostages,” he said. Hirsch detailed that 20 hostages are confirmed alive, two are in grave condition, and 28 have been declared dead.

Israel maintains that Gaza terror groups continue to hold 50 hostages — including 49 of those abducted during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 massacre. At least 28 are confirmed dead, 20 believed alive, and two gravely at risk. Hamas is also holding the remains of an IDF soldier killed in 2014.

As reported by The Times of Israel, Trump’s comments came just as Israel prepared for a major offensive to seize Gaza City. The operation — tentatively rebranded “Iron Fist” — is set for mid-September, after reservists report on September 2. Roughly one million Palestinians in Gaza City are expected to be ordered to evacuate ahead of the assault.

Israeli officials cited by Channel 12 and relayed by The Times of Israel said it was “urgent” to secure the release of hostages before launching the assault. While Hamas has indicated openness to a phased ceasefire-for-hostages deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to pursue only a full release of all captives.

Israel has already called up tens of thousands of reservists for the Gaza City battle despite mounting international criticism. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claims more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed or are presumed dead, though the figure is unverifiable. Israel says over 22,000 Hamas fighters have been eliminated, in addition to 1,600 terrorists killed during the October 7 attacks inside Israel.

Israel’s own losses in Gaza stand at 459 killed since the ground offensive began, including soldiers, police, and civilian contractors, according to figures cited by The Times of Israel.