Families demand answers after Trump lowers estimate of living hostages

7 May 2025, 9:46 am

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The 24 hostages presumed to be alive who are still held by Hamas as of February 2025: Top row, from left: Elkana Bohbot, Matan Angrest, Edan Alexander, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Haim Ohana, Alon Ohel. Second row, from left: Evyatar David, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Bipin Joshi, Rom Braslavski, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman. Third row, from left: Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, Segev Kalfon, Nimrod Cohen, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn. Bottom row, from left: Matan Zangauker, Bar Kupershtein, David Cunio, Ariel Cunio, Tamir Nimrodi, Pinta Nattapong. (Hostage Families Forum)

Relatives of the 59 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip renew their call for Israeli officials to tell them if there is updated intelligence on the fates of their loved ones, after US President Donald Trump said that only 21 hostages remained alive, three fewer than Israel’s official estimate.

“The number of living hostages as is known to the families, provided to them by official sources, is 24,” the Hostage Families Forum says in a statement.

“We demand again from Israel — if there is new intelligence being kept from us, pass it to us immediately,” it adds.

The comment echoes the families’ response after Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said at a meeting last week that “fewer” than 24 hostages remained alive.

“As of today, it’s 21 [who are still alive]. Three have died,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday evening, without providing additional details.

Gal Hirsch, the government point person on hostages, said shortly afterward that Israel’s official number remained 24.

The families’ statement also calls on Netanyahu to pause the military campaign in Gaza until all hostages are returned.