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Trump Says 21 Hostages Still Alive in Gaza, Confirms Three Deaths
Washington, D.C., May 6, 2025 President Donald Trump stated Tuesday that 21 hostages are now believed to be alive in Gaza, following confirmation that three previously accounted-for individuals have died. The remarks mark a grim update on the status of those still held by Hamas since the group’s attack on Israel in October 2023.
“Three have died. That brings the number down to 21,” President Trump said from the Oval Office, though he did not identify the deceased or provide further details on how the information was obtained. “There’s 21, plus a lot of dead bodies,” he added.
Among the hostages previously believed to be alive was American citizen Edan Alexander. Several other U.S. nationals are known to have been killed or are missing in the aftermath of the October 7 assault.
Trump’s comments coincided with major developments in Israel’s military strategy. On Monday, the Israeli government approved plans to take full control of the Gaza Strip and maintain a presence there for an indefinite period. The decision signals an escalation in Israel’s campaign to eliminate Hamas and recover the remaining hostages, a move expected to provoke international scrutiny.
In a related development, the U.S. State Department reported that 17 American citizens and lawful permanent residents were successfully evacuated from Gaza on Monday. “We thank our partners in the Israeli and Jordanian governments who made this departure possible,” the department said in a statement.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Washington on the same day to discuss regional cooperation and ongoing humanitarian efforts.
