US President Donald Trump said that some of the 20 hostages who are presumed to be alive in Gaza may have “recently died,” as Israel calls on Palestinians living in Gaza City to evacuate ahead of an expanded assault on the enclave’s largest city.

“It’s 20 people but I think of the 20 there could be some that have recently died is what I’m hearing. I hope that’s wrong,” Trump told reporters at the Oval Office on Friday.

“We know that at least 30 people are dead, and we are negotiating to get them out,” he added.

The Israeli government says 47 hostages abducted by Hamas and its allies on October 7, 2023 are still in Gaza, including 27 who are believed to be dead.

Trump did not reveal the source of the information regarding the possible recent deaths.

Trump said the administration was

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