Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he estimates that 20 hostages are still alive in Gaza, stressing that Israel remains committed to release “all hostages, living and dead”.

In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu was asked if he believed that 20 of the 48 hostages held by Hamas and other armed organizations are still alive. “Yes, I believe it,” he replied.

He added that “all the nations of the world must say one thing in Hamas: release hostages, all, and deposit the weapons. If you do, the war can end immediately. “

His statements were made a day before his meeting with US President Donald Trump, which will discuss the US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, which provides for the release of all hostages within the first 48 hours.

Earlier this month, Trump had been concerned, saying that “some of the 20 may be dead in recent days”, which has caused concern to hostage families, as they have not been informed of such developments.

Statements by the Israeli prime minister came a few hours after Hamas’s announcement that he had lost contact with two hostages, whose names were not released at the request of their families, and called on Israel to stop air businesses in specific areas of the city.

In addition to the 20 hostages that are considered alive and the 26 who have been confirmed by the Israeli army, there are two more for which Israel has expressed “serious concern”.