Trump says 3 hostages died in Gaza, 21 believed to be alive

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that three more hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have died, reducing the number of known surviving captives to 21 – a figure disputed by Israeli authorities.

“As of today, it’s 21, three have died,” Trump said during a White House event, noting that until recently, 24 people were believed to be alive.

“This is a terrible situation. We’re trying to get the hostages out,” the US president added, without specifying the source of the updated figure or whether it included US nationals.

Israel’s hostage coordinator, retired general Gal Hirsch, offered a different count, saying 24 hostages were believed to be alive.

“The terrorist organisation Hamas is currently holding 59 hostages. 24 of them are on the list of living hostages. 35 of them are on the list of kidnapped victims, their deaths officially confirmed,” Hirsch wrote on social media platform X.

Among the 59 hostages are also five foreign nationals, he added.