On Sunday, President Donald Trump expressed frustration with the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas after seeing footage of the Israeli hostages released over the weekend. He compared their appearance to Holocaust survivors.
During their release on Saturday morning, Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami, and Eli Sharabi appeared severely malnourished, leading to widespread comparisons to Holocaust survivors. Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One en route to New Orleans for the Super Bowl, said, “They look like Holocaust survivors. They were in horrible condition. They were emaciated. I don’t know how much longer we can take that … at some point, we’re going to lose our patience.” He added, “I know we have a deal … they dribble in and keep dribbling in … but they are in really bad shape.”
Seventy-six hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, including six Americans. Many are confirmed dead, with Palestinian terrorists holding their bodies for ransom. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office vowed, “The shocking images that we have seen today will not go unaddressed.” President Isaac Herzog added, “This is what a crime against humanity looks like!”
On Sunday, families of the released hostages described their relatives’ suffering at the hands of Hamas. Michael Levy, brother of Or Levy, recounted his brother’s ordeal: “For 16 months, he was hungry, barefoot, and in constant fear that every day could be his last.” He thanked Trump, saying, “President Trump, we owe you our deepest gratitude for bringing my brother back home.”
Yulie Ben Ami, daughter of Ohad Ben Ami, declared, “The return of the hostages yesterday leaves no room for doubt! They all must return! We will not stop fighting until the last hostage comes home.” Her sister Ella added, “My father endured horrors – we haven’t even begun to hear about or comprehend the hell he was in.”
Sharon Sharabi, brother of Yossi and Eli Sharabi, urged immediate action: “Seventy-six hostages remain deep in Hamas tunnels, in darkness, in hell. If previously my mission was to convey the urgency of releasing the hostages, now that my father has returned, I understand it’s far worse than I ever imagined. This is the victory of the Israeli people – that we brought them back.”
Trump also stated Sunday that he is committed to rebuilding Gaza by working with Middle Eastern partners. “We will make Gaza into a good site for future development; we will take care of the Palestinians,” he said. He has scheduled meetings with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
