Israel has confirmed that 24 hostages are alive in Gaza, following comments made by former President Donald Trump, who claimed that 21 hostages were still living. Trump’s remarks raised concerns among families of the hostages, as he suggested that three more had died.
Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for hostage issues, clarified in a post on social media that Hamas is currently holding 59 hostages. Of these, 24 are alive, while 35 are reported dead. These numbers have not changed since before Trump’s comments. Hirsch noted that 54 of the hostages are Israeli citizens, and five are foreign nationals. He emphasized that families of those kidnapped are regularly updated with information regarding their loved ones.
The families of the hostages have urged the Israeli government to provide them with any new information immediately after Trump’s statements. They believe Israel should focus on negotiations to secure the release of the remaining hostages. In a post, the families stated, "This is the most urgent and important national mission."
So far, most hostages who have returned alive to Israel were released during temporary ceasefires with Hamas in late 2023 and early 2025. However, the latest ceasefire, which allowed for the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, collapsed in March.
Hamas took a total of 251 hostages during its attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people. In response, Israel has launched extensive air and ground operations in Gaza. The Hamas-run health ministry reports that over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, although these figures do not distinguish between civilians and fighters.
Israel’s primary goals in the ongoing conflict are to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of the hostages. Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to expand military operations in Gaza, aiming to maintain control over the territory indefinitely. This plan includes seizing parts of Gaza, displacing Palestinians to southern areas, and overseeing aid distribution with the help of private security firms.