President Donald Trump stated on August 18, 2025, that the 50 remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza will only be released once the Hamas terrorist organization is confronted and destroyed. Trump emphasized that the sooner Hamas is eliminated, the greater the chances of success. He highlighted his past record by claiming responsibility for ending six wars in six months and destroying Iran's nuclear facilities. Trump further accused Hamas of using the hostages as leverage to extort Israel and urged Israel to quickly complete the mission to eliminate Hamas. The hostage situation has persisted for 682 days, drawing calls from U.S. Senator Rick Scott and others for the destruction of Hamas and the safe return of all hostages. Additionally, some hostage families expressed concern after Trump mentioned that a few captives may have died. The conflict continues to evoke strong responses regarding the humanitarian impact and the broader geopolitical implications.