Middle East - 'At least one or two hostages held by Hamas are in critical condition'

Israel has estimated that "at least one or two" of the hostages held in Gaza are in life-threatening conditions, according to Jewish media cited by the Times of Israel, the day after US President Donald Trump declared that fewer than 20 hostages were still alive.

According to Israeli television channel Channel 12, Israeli officials fear that many of the hostages still alive are in critical condition and in desperate need of medical attention. "The release of the hostages is an urgent necessity," a senior official told Channel 12.

Israeli officials are unsure what led Trump to conclude, during a White House press conference Friday, that "a couple of them may not be there anymore." Following the US president's comments, Israeli hostage coordinator Gal Hirsh told families yesterday that there has been no change in the number of living hostages.