In a solemn revelation, President Donald Trump announced that three more Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have tragically lost their lives, leaving only 21 captives still alive out of those taken during the October 7 attacks. During a White House event, Trump spoke about the ongoing efforts to secure the release of as many hostages as possible, emphasizing the importance of the slow and methodical approach taken to ensure their safety. Reflecting on a previous encounter with freed hostages who expressed gratitude for their release, Trump recounted a conversation where he learned that 59 individuals were initially taken captive, with only 24 remaining alive at the time. However, with the recent deaths, the number of surviving hostages has decreased to 21.

The situation remains dire, with the Israeli military reporting that out of the 251 people initially abducted, 58 are still being held in Gaza, with 34 feared to have lost their lives. Following a two-month truce that saw an increase in aid to Gaza and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18. The conflict has taken a heavy toll, with over 1,200 casualties on the Israeli side and more than 2,500 deaths in Gaza since the resumption of hostilities, bringing the total death toll from the war to a staggering 52,615. The president expressed his sorrow over the situation, highlighting the gravity of the ongoing crisis in the region.