An Israeli official said that 24 hostages were alive in Gaza after US President Donald Trump said the number was 21, alarming the families of hostages, Reuters reports.
Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for hostage issues, said in a post on X that the Palestinian group Hamas was holding 59 hostages, of whom 24 were alive and 35 dead — figures unchanged since before Trump spoke.
“All families of the kidnapped are always updated with the information we have about their loved ones,” he said.
Speaking at an event at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said that 24 hostages were alive a week ago but the figure was now 21.
“I say 21, because, as of today, it’s 21. Three have died,” he said, without citing a source or providing further details.
Trump’s comment had prompted the group representing the families of hostages to ask the Israeli government to share any new information with them immediately.
“The headquarters again calls on the prime minister to stop the war until the return of the last abductee. This is the most urgent and important national task,” said a spokesperson for the group.
