Overview

• Omer Shem Tov said his captors explicitly wanted Kamala Harris to win in 2024 and were very afraid of a Trump presidency.
• He reported that after Donald Trump’s election victory, Hamas guards eased starvation tactics by providing more food and stopping verbal and physical abuse.
• During his 505-day confinement beneath Gaza he lost over 50 pounds surviving on one biscuit and salty water per day.
• Hamas has claimed a “permanent ceasefire” deal with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff for 10 hostages’ release, but Washington has denied any such agreement.
• There are still 58 hostages in Gaza, at least 23 of whom are believed alive, as negotiators press on to secure further releases.