Trump Loses Patience with Israel-Hamas Truce Over Hostage Situation
US President Donald Trump has become frustrated with the ongoing ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - US President Donald has become frustrated with the ongoing ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, after seeing footage of Israeli hostages appearing severely malnourished after their release.
Comparing their appearance to Holocaust survivors, Trump hinted that the US may soon lose patience with the current deal.
"They look like Holocaust survivors. They're in terrible shape. They're emaciated," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. "I don't know how much longer we can hold out ... at some point, we're going to lose patience," reported on Monday, February 10, 2025.
Trump was referring to three Israeli hostages — Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy — who were freed on Saturday.
Ben Ami and Sharabi were kidnapped from Kibbutz Be'eri, and Levy was taken from the Nova music festival during a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The hostages appeared frail before being handed over by the Palestinian militant group to Israeli authorities.
"They're in very bad shape," Trump said, noting that their conditions were worse than the 18 hostages previously released under a ceasefire agreed to on January 19.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the sight of the frail hostages as "shocking" and said it would be addressed.
In exchange for the three Israeli men, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners the same day. Many of those prisoners also appeared emaciated and frail. As did hundreds of other Palestinian prisoners previously released, they have described torture and rape by Israeli soldiers on Palestinians in prison.
Trump also reiterated his controversial stance on Gaza, saying he remains committed to having the US take control of the territory after the Palestinians leave or are removed. He first made the announcement during Netanyahu's recent visit to Washington on February 4.
"As far as us rebuilding it, we can give it to other countries in the Middle East to build the pieces, other people can do it, under our auspices. But we are committed to having it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas goes," said.
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