The families of hostages met with US President Donald Trump and other senior administration officials at the White House on Wednesday, where the president reiterated his commitment to free the remaining hostages, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.
During the meeting, Trump emphasized that it was important for him to bring together his most senior leadership team to meet with the families and survivors, demonstrating that the American administration is committed to bringing all the hostages home.
The meeting was between families of hostages and captivity survivors and Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
The Hostages Families Forum added that Trump asked the families whether military occupation of Gaza would help the situation, but the families explained that such an action would endanger the lives of their loved ones. The families said that the only viable solution is through a negotiated peace deal, which Trump acknowledged.
According to the statement, Trump recognized the horror of the situation while expressing relief at seeing some survivors in the group, reaffirming his administration's efforts to secure the release of the remaining 48 hostages.
Trump says maybe fewer than 20 hostages alive
Trump said on Sunday that there could be "less than 20" hostages, as they "tend to die." However, he affirmed that he was confident he could return them all to Israel.
Trump also stated that he believes a Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange deal will be reached "very soon."
"It's a hell of a problem," he noted, adding that he wants to solve the problem for the Middle East, Israel, and the world.
According to the plan, Hamas would release all 48 hostages, including those believed to be alive and the bodies of the dead, on the first day of the agreement. In exchange, US President Donald Trump would offer a personal assurance that hostilities will not resume until negotiations between Israel and Hamas yield a resolution.
The proposal also calls for the release of between 2,000 and 3,000 Palestinian security prisoners, including those convicted of murder. It further stipulates the cancellation of Israel’s planned military operation in Gaza City, as well as the immediate start of talks to bring the war to a close.