Former Hostages Urge Donald Trump to 'Seal the Deal' for 50 Captives in Gaza

Former Hamas hostages have released a poignant video appeal to former U.S. President Donald Trump, pleading for his intervention to secure the release of approximately 50 remaining captives in Gaza and prevent further bloodshed. The video, widely circulated by the "Bring Them Home Now" campaign, features direct pleas from individuals who were previously held by Hamas, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. "Bring them home. Seal the deal," they stated, underscoring the critical need for a comprehensive agreement.

In the emotional video, several former captives, including Naama Levy, Ohad Ben Ami, Doron Steinbrecher, Sasha Troufanov, Arbel Yehoud, and Iair Horn, expressed gratitude for Trump's past involvement in securing the release of 39 hostages. They implored him to leverage his influence once more, calling on him to "be the president of peace" who can end the conflict and facilitate the return of all those still held. The survivors recounted the harsh conditions of captivity, including "endless hunger, constant fear, darkness," and warned that ongoing military operations endanger the lives of those still underground.

As of recent reports, around 50 hostages remain in Gaza, though Israeli officials believe that between 27 and 35 of them are deceased. These individuals were among the 251 people abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel, which also resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing the captives' relatives, has been at the forefront of international efforts to pressure for their release.

Negotiations for a comprehensive ceasefire and hostage exchange have repeatedly stalled, leading to growing desperation among the families. Mothers of current hostages have voiced fears that any expansion of Israeli military operations could trigger reprisals from Hamas, further jeopardizing their loved ones. The appeal to Trump highlights a perceived opportunity for a decisive intervention outside the current negotiation frameworks, pushing for a resolution that brings all captives home.