US President Donald Trump has announced that 10 more hostages will be released from Gaza “very shortly”. The news comes as the president pushes for a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
In a dinner meeting with Republican senators, Trump stated that most of the hostages have already been returned and an additional 10 are expected to be freed soon. He also praised his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff as “fantastic”.
The proposed ceasefire includes terms for the return of 10 hostages and the remains of 18 others in exchange for Israel’s release of Palestinians from Israeli jails. The US has reportedly supported the efforts of Israel’s intelligence agency, the Mossad, to relocate thousands of Palestinians living in Gaza.
Trump claims that a ceasefire agreement is imminent, despite posting on his social media platform last July that Israel had agreed to necessary conditions for a 60-day ceasefire. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House, presenting Trump with a letter nominating him for a Nobel peace prize.
Hamas officials say they favor an interim truce in the Gaza war but may revert to demanding a full package deal if negotiations stall.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/18/trump-israel-gaza-hostages