The number of hostages still alive and being held by Hamas is "far fewer" than is believed because "many of them are gone," former President Donald Trump is warning.
"That's why it's hard for Hamas to make a deal" with Israel to end the raging war in Gaza that's nearing a half-year mark, Trump wrote Monday morning in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Trump charged "Hamas is incapable of holding Jewish people for a long period of time without killing them," predicting: "It will only get worse!"
The exact number of hostages still alive is a central issue in the negotiations toward a cease-fire deal, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Proposals designed by the United States and Arab states have revolved around Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners in return for some 40 Israeli hostages. But there has been little clarity about the number and identity of living hostages held by Hamas.
The Journal has reported the IDF confirmed the deaths of 34 of the 129 remaining hostages abducted Oct. 7, noting "Israeli and American officials estimate privately that the number of deaths could be much higher."
According to Trump, the blame for the ongoing conflict lies with President Joe Biden.
"ZERO leadership from Biden," he wrote in the post. "October 7th WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IF I WERE PRESIDENT – NOT EVEN A SMALL CHANCE!!!"
Fran Beyer ✉
Fran Beyer is a writer with Newsmax and covers national politics.
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