Hostages Freed from Gaza Tell Trump He Was 'Sent by God' to Save Them, But Dozens More Remain

In a poignant moment at the Oval Office, hostages recently freed from Gaza shared their harrowing tales of captivity with President Donald Trump, expressing their belief that his re-election gave them hope during their darkest days. One of them, Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov, went so far as to call Trump "sent by God" to secure their release. Whether divine intervention or just raw diplomacy, the meeting was an emotional one.

During a Thursday press briefing, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff revealed that seven freed hostages and their families met with the president earlier this week. They recounted their experiences of abduction, severe abuse, and the psychological toll of captivity under Hamas. Witkoff described the gathering as "emotional," underscoring the profound impact of the hostages' ordeal.

"They talked about how they heard about his election, and they were uplifted," Witkoff said. "They were elated waiting for him because they knew he was going to help them get rescued." The Trump administration has doubled down on its commitment to freeing the remaining hostages, with Witkoff emphasizing, "We feel that Hamas has not been forthright with us. It's time for them to show they are serious."

Reports this week disclosed that the Trump administration has entered direct negotiations with Hamas. While the details remain murky, sources suggest a proposed 60-day ceasefire as part of the deal, alongside the release of 10 additional hostages. However, with 25 hostages assessed to still be alive, including one American, the stakes remain high.

Among those hostages, Edan Alexander, an injured American, has become a top priority for the U.S. "Edan Alexander is very important to us – as all the hostages are – but Edan Alexander is an American, and he's injured," Witkoff stated. It's clear his case carries significant weight as negotiations continue.

Adding to the tension, Trump issued a stern warning via social media to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages. Hamas, however, has countered that any further releases hinge on a second-phase ceasefire agreement. The group currently holds 59 hostages, including one captured in a separate incident from the October 2023 attacks.

The grim reality remains for many families: 35 hostages are believed to have been killed by Hamas, with their bodies still being held. Among the deceased are four Americans – Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai, and Judi Weinstein Haggai – who were reportedly killed during the initial attacks on October 7, 2023. Their families, along with others, are left grappling with both grief and unanswered questions.

As negotiations inch forward, hope flickers for the remaining hostages and their families. But in the world of geopolitics, optimism often comes with a heavy dose of caution – and patience.