Trump Claims 21 Hostages Alive in Gaza Amid Israeli Blockade and Humanitarian Crisis
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President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the number of living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza has decreased to 21, down from 24 a week ago. This statement has caused alarm among the families of the hostages, who are demanding immediate updates from the Israeli government on the situation.
Trump's announcement contradicts the official figures from Israel, which maintain that 24 hostages are still alive out of the 59 held by Hamas. Israeli officials, including the coordinator for hostages and missing persons, Gal Hirsch, have reaffirmed that the number of living hostages remains at 24, despite Trump's claim.
The discrepancy in the numbers has led to confusion and concern among the families of the hostages. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the war in Gaza until all hostages are returned, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
In addition to the hostage situation, Gaza is facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to an ongoing Israeli blockade. The blockade, which has been in place for over two months, has led to acute malnutrition among children, with 66,000 children affected and 3,500 at risk of imminent death by starvation, according to the United Nations. Four-month-old Yousef Al-Najjar's weight has dropped to 1.5kg, and five-month-old Siwar Ashour and four-month-old Jenan Alskafi have also been severely affected by malnutrition. Eleven-year-old Dana el-Hacc from Deyr Belah is at vital risk due to severe malnutrition.
The blockade has also forced the World Central Kitchen, a leading aid organization, to halt its operations in Gaza due to a lack of supplies. The organization, which had been serving 133,000 meals per day and baking 80,000 loaves of bread, is unable to continue its work without permission to bring in more aid. Over the past 18 months, World Central Kitchen has served 130 million meals and baked 26 million loaves of bread.
With food stocks running out and fuel shortages, the World Central Kitchen Organization declared that it was no longer able to prepare meals for the people of Gaza without the arrival of humanitarian aid, a major catastrophe would be on the way.
At least 57 people, mostly children, have died of starvation since the crossings were closed. https://t.co/aMl0ZhoFXf
