President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed that negotiations are inching closer to securing the release of hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, suggesting that a breakthrough may be imminent—though he offered few specifics. “We’re getting close to getting them back,” Trump told reporters during a cabinet meeting. “We’re making progress. We’re dealing with Israel, we’re dealing with Hamas—and it’s a nasty group.” The president described meeting with previously released hostages, some of whom returned in poor physical condition, and emphasized the psychological toll of their ordeal. “A lot of people are very grateful. Some came back in pretty bad shape. They’re okay, but they’re going to be scarred mentally for a long time,” he said. Trump’s remarks align with recent reports from Israeli and international media outlets indicating that a new hostage deal may be on the horizon. According to Ynet, Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, told families of hostages that “a real serious deal is on the table and it’s a matter of a few days.” Further bolstering optimism, Israel’s Kan radio reported that Israeli and Egyptian officials had exchanged draft proposals aimed at reconciling an Egyptian compromise deal with a separate plan put forward by Witkoff. The Egyptian plan reportedly includes the release of eight living hostages and the return of eight bodies in exchange for a 40- to 70-day truce and the release of a significant number of Palestinian prisoners. Witkoff’s earlier proposal outlined a two-month ceasefire in exchange for the release of five hostages and a substantial prisoner release. Amid growing signs of movement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a high-level assessment on the hostage situation with his security team on Thursday, according to The Times of Israel. He also met in Jerusalem with the families of two hostages, Elkana Bohbot and Rom Braslavski, updating them on the status of the ongoing negotiations. Netanyahu’s office reiterated his commitment to the objectives of the war: returning all Israeli hostages, dismantling Hamas, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Currently, 24 Israeli hostages are believed to still be alive in Gaza, with 35 more confirmed dead. A previously brokered deal in January had outlined a phased release of hostages in tandem with a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, that agreement collapsed after the first stage, as Israel refused to proceed with discussions on subsequent phases and Hamas declined to extend the ceasefire—prompting a resumption of Israeli military operations. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)