Trump in ‘Constant Communication’ With Israel About Freeing Gaza Hostages, Leavitt Says

The Trump administration is in “constant communication and dialogue” with friends in Israel about getting remaining hostages out of Gaza, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday.

Ron Dermer, Israel’s minister of strategic affairs, visited the White House Thursday to meet with the Trump administration about the situation in Gaza.

“The president and his entire national security team have made it very clear we want to see the hostages released from Gaza,” Leavitt said. “That is a priority for this administration.”

Leavitt declined to elaborate on details as to what has been proposed.

“But I can emphasize what the president holds closest in his heart right now,” Leavitt said, “and that’s the release of all of the hostages in Gaza.”

President Donald Trump said that 21 hostages are believed to be alive in Gaza.

“As of today, it’s 21, three have died,” Trump said Tuesday of the hostages being held by Hamas. He added that until recently, 24 people were thought to be still alive. 

One American, Edan Alexander, has been one of the 24 hostages believed to be alive. Hamas had agreed in March to a deal that included the release of Alexander, but he has yet to be freed. Hamas holds the bodies of several other Americans.