American President Donald Trump said that the number of dead Israeli hostages held captive by the "Hamas" group has probably increased, BNR reports.
In front of journalists, Trump emphasized that Washington is conducting "in-depth negotiations" with the group against the backdrop of the new Israeli offensive:
"We call for the people to be released immediately. If that happens, a lot of good things will happen to them. If not - a difficult situation, it will be unpleasant. You have over 20 people and about 38 dead, whose parents want them as if they were alive. But there are also many deaths that are part of the deal, 20 I think, some - died recently or at least I hear".
Trump has changed the number of dead hostages several times according to his data. According to the latest information, 47 people are being held captive in Gaza, 25 of whom the Israeli army claims are dead.
Yesterday, the Israeli army announced that it was targeting high-rise buildings in Gaza City, and shortly after ordering an evacuation, it demolished a 12-story building surrounded by refugee tents.
As a reason for its actions, Israel points to the fact that the buildings were being used by Hamas terrorists.