Trump pledges to “settle the situation” in Gaza, reveals information on Israeli hostages

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that two of the twenty hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip may have been killed, saying the United States is seeking to recover all the hostages. Trump said in a press interview: “I told Hamas we want to get our hostages back. We have recovered all Americans so far, but I am now mainly talking about the Israeli hostages.”

He added that the United States will work to resolve the situation in Gaza, without disclosing whether that resolution would be diplomatic or military in nature.

In a significant development, the White House announced that Trump intends to hold a meeting in New York with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani days after an Israeli strike on senior Hamas figures in Doha, a move that could affect the future of Qatari mediation in efforts to halt the war in Gaza and complete a prisoner-exchange deal.

According to Reuters, the U.S. official did not reveal the meeting’s agenda or its exact timing, but diplomatic sources said the talks will focus on the fallout from the Israeli strike and the possibility of salvaging U.S.-backed Qatari mediation efforts.

Last Tuesday, Israel carried out an airstrike in the Qatari capital targeting Hamas leaders, including Khaled Mashal and Khalil al-Hayya, though they survived after leaving the meeting location before the strike.

The operation alarmed Arab and Western capitals and was seen as a serious escalation that could increase regional tensions, especially given that Qatar hosts a U.S. military base and plays a pivotal role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas.

Trump commented on the strike, saying it was a unilateral action that does not serve American or Israeli interests, noting that his administration had tried to prevent Israel from carrying out the operation but was informed of the attack late.

For his part, the Qatari prime minister accused Israel of attempting to “sabotage the chances for peace,” asserting that his country would not retreat from its role as mediator regardless of pressure, and saying it will continue efforts to secure a ceasefire, the release of Israeli captives, and a plan to rebuild Gaza.

The U.S. State Department also announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also holds the post of Trump’s security adviser, will meet with the Qatari prime minister to discuss mechanisms to contain the strike’s repercussions and ensure the continuation of diplomatic efforts.

Inside Israel, Kan 11 reported that the operation faced objections from security leaders, including Mossad chief David Barnea, who warned that targeting Qatar as the central mediator would be a strategic mistake that could undermine the chances of reaching an exchange deal or a truce.