Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called for the release of five Americans being held by Hamas.
“Let’s all continue to keep the American hostages held in Gaza in our thoughts,” the Republican presidential nominee posted Tuesday on Truth Social.
“They must be brought home!”
The five hostages — Edan Alexander, Omer Neutra, Hersh Goldberg Polin, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Keith Siegel — have been held by the militants since they were kidnapped during the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks.
It is believed 120 hostages are still being held by the group.
Israel and Hamas had resumed tentative, indirect talks to try to reach a ceasefire in the war in Gaza, though there have been conflicting accounts of any progress made.
Ceasefire discussions on Gaza had been ongoing as of last weekend, but it is unclear if they have been paused given the killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh last week in Iran, and Fouad Shukr, a commander of the Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, in a rare strike in Beirut in June.
Trump issued a strong warning to Hamas during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last month, promising the terror group would pay big time if the captives were not freed.
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“We want our hostages back,” the 78-year-old said, “and they better be back before I assume office, or you will be paying a very big price.”
Mere days after the deadly incursion by Hamas, Trump slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming he “let us down” just before the U.S. killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
“Now is not the time to be attacking our ally,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at the time.
Trump didn’t back down, saying in a follow-up interview that Netanyahu “was not prepared” for the deadly attack and that Israeli leaders needed to “step up their game” while referring to Hezbollah as “very smart.”
He later clarified his stance, insisting he stands with Israel.
Trump’s comments about the five Americans still being held come after Vice President Kamala Harris urged Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire deal soon with Hamas so that dozens of hostages can return home.
The Democratic presidential nominee said she had a “frank and constructive” conversation with the PM in which she affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself but also expressed deep concern about the high death toll in Gaza over nine months of war and the “dire” humanitarian situation there.