Overview

• Trump told reporters the administration is negotiating directly with Hamas and warned of a "tough" and "nasty" outcome if all hostages are not released immediately.
• He said he believes some of the roughly 20 hostages thought to be alive may have died recently, stressing that this information is unconfirmed.
• Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler amplified the message in a post on X, telling Hamas to pay attention to the president’s stance.
• Hamas has indicated willingness to release some captives in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, while Trump’s position calls for the release of all hostages without a phased deal.
• Israeli tallies say about 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed alive, as Israel ties ending the war to full hostage release, Hamas’ disarmament, security control over Gaza, and a new civilian administration, against a backdrop of severe humanitarian suffering that Israel disputes responsibility for.