Hostage families are furious after US President Trump says 'probably' less than 20 Israeli hostages still alive

U.S. President Donald Trump angered Israeli hostage families on Friday with an offhand remark to reporters suggesting that he believes there are “probably” fewer than 20 hostages still alive in the Gaza Strip.

“Mr. President, there are 50 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. For us, each and every one of them represents an entire world,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum replied in an English-language statement.

The Israeli government's point man for hostages, Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Gal Hirsch, quickly reiterated official information in a statement to the hostage families, which was later reported by Israeli media outlets.

'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

“According to the information in Israel’s possession, there is no change in the information you have received from us,” Hirsch told the families.

“Twenty of the hostages are alive, two are in critical condition with grave concern for their lives, and 28 are no longer alive and have been classified as fallen hostages.”

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said that not all hostage families opposed Israel’s new Gaza offensive, though most view it as endangering their loved ones and vehemently object.

Trump also noted that if it weren’t for his efforts, all the hostages would be dead by now. “You have to understand, I’m the one who got all of the hostages out,” he said.

The U.S. president said he had warned that Hamas would begin to refuse deals once the number of hostages “got down to 20.”

“So now they have 20,” he said, “but the 20 is actually probably not 20 because a couple of them are not around any longer.”

Trump added that he didn't know what Israel “was planning on doing” now that Hamas claims to be ready to approve another ceasefire deal that would free 10 hostages, but stressed that the terror group’s atrocities on October 7 shouldn't be forgotten.

“The situation has to end. It's extortion, and it has to end,” Trump emphasized.

“Hamas knows that if they give them (the hostages), it's probably the end of their lives,” he said, but added: “I know if you’re a parent, you just don’t care… they want their babies back, I understand.”

The Hostage Forum, in its statement, also attacked Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who took over the leadership of the Israeli hostage negotiation team some months ago.

“If Minister Dermer, who speaks only with the Americans but does not bother to speak or meet with the families of the hostages, knows something different – he should have first updated the families,” they charged.

“It is our sacred duty to prevent further sacrifice and to bring everyone home.”

Ruby Chen, father of the fallen hostage Itay Chen, said he was “shocked anew each time the President does not mention 50 hostages but gives a different number. I ask – why? Is there a source updating the President with information about the hostages that we don’t know?”

“I personally convey to the White House the importance of mentioning all 50 hostages – both the living and the fallen – whose return is important to the entire people of Israel.”

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker and one of the more vocal leaders of the hostage protest movement, renewed calls for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a partial ceasefire deal that would secure the release of 10 hostages in a phased agreement.

“If Netanyahu signs the deal, on Sunday he can already begin negotiating for the return of the rest of the hostages in exchange for ending the war,” Zangauker said at a protest in Tel Aviv.

“If the conquest of Gaza [City] begins, there will not be a deal,” she warned, accusing Netanyahu of “placing obstacles and blaming Hamas.”

Kobi Ohel, father of hostage Alon Ohel, argued that “anyone who can be saved must be saved.”

Speaking at another demonstration, Ohel emphasized that the hostages who are still alive “don’t have time and therefore we must do everything possible to reach a deal like this that frees everyone, even if it’s in stages.”