JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President-elect Donald Trump about developments in Syria and a latest push to safe the discharge of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, he mentioned on Sunday (Dec 15).
Netanyahu mentioned he spoke with Trump on Saturday night time concerning the difficulty, which can loom massive as one of many essential overseas challenges dealing with Trump when he takes workplace if it’s not resolved earlier than he’s sworn in on Jan 20.
Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 folks and kidnapped greater than 250, together with Israeli-American twin nationals, throughout their Oct 7, 2023 assault on Israel, in keeping with Israeli tallies. Greater than 100 hostages have been freed by negotiations or Israeli navy rescue operations. Of the 100 nonetheless held in Gaza, roughly half are believed to be alive.
Israel’s response has killed virtually 45,000 folks, largely civilians, in keeping with authorities within the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, displaced practically all the inhabitants and left a lot of the enclave in ruins.
Trump’s Center East envoy, Steve Witkoff, warned final week throughout a go to to the area that it could “not be a fairly day” if the hostages held in Gaza weren’t launched earlier than Trump’s inauguration.
Trump mentioned earlier this month there can be “hell to pay” within the Center East if the hostages weren’t launched earlier than he got here into workplace.
A Trump spokesperson on Sunday declined to offer additional particulars concerning the name.
