Uncertainty Surrounds Hostage Situation as Israel Faces Pressure for Ceasefire Negotiations**

Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledges the uncertainty regarding three of the 24 hostages held by Hamas, contradicting earlier statements as families urge for a diplomatic resolution over military escalation.**

In a tense update regarding the hostage crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed "uncertainty" surrounding the condition of three out of the 24 hostages believed to be in Hamas's grasp in Gaza. While confirming that 21 hostages are alive, Netanyahu's comments come as he faced criticism following a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump, who asserted a week ago that all 24 hostages were alive — a claim seemingly retracted as the prime minister provided a new figure on Tuesday.

Families of the hostages formed the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and are putting significant pressure on Netanyahu to reconsider his military approach. They have been vocal in urging him to pursue another deal with Hamas rather than escalate the ongoing military operations in Gaza. The forum insisted on the urgency of halting military action until every remaining hostage, both living and deceased, is returned: “This is the most urgent and important national task,” they emphasized.

In a video response following Trump's remarks, Netanyahu stated, "We know with certainty that 21 hostages are alive. There are three more regarding whom there's uncertainty about whether they are alive." Even as the prime minister underscored the importance of rescuing the hostages, he also noted the overarching goal is to secure victory over Hamas, reflecting a potentially conflicting strategy.

Adding to the complexity of this situation, Israel’s chief military spokesman, Brig-Gen Effie Defrin, had earlier stated that the primary objective entailed not just hostage recovery but also dismantling the Hamas infrastructure. However, this seemed at odds with internal military directives as reported by Israeli media, which indicated that the removal of hostages is secondary to defeating Hamas militarily.

While the total death toll in Gaza has tragically climbed to over 52,653 since the war's escalation, Israeli actions have included blocking humanitarian aid, leading to severe shortages of essential supplies. As the conflict persists, with about 1,200 individuals taken hostage during the attacks on October 7, 2023, the stakes for those left behind grow increasingly critical.