President Donald Trump addressed the dire condition of Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben-Ami, who were released last Saturday, during a conversation with reporters aboard the presidential aircraft late Monday night.
Video: Trump: Released hostages 'looked like Holocaust survivors'
Speaking to journalists while en route to New Orleans to watch the Super Bowl, Trump harshly criticized Hamas. "Hamas has been a disaster... I watched the hostages come back - and they looked like Holocaust survivors. They were in horrible condition, they were emaciated. just like Holocaust survivors from many years ago. I don't know how much longer we can take that," he said. "They are in really bad shape, they have been treated brutally, horribly. Even the ones that came out earlier, they were in a little bit better shape, but mentally they were treated so badly. Who could take that? At some point, we are going to lose our patience. They look like they haven't eaten for months, there is no reason for this."
Raising his voice, Trump reiterated his frustration: "I don't know how much longer we can take that. People that were healthy people a reasonably short number of years ago, and you look at them today, they look like they've aged 25 years, they literally look like the old pictures of Holocaust survivors, the same thing. No reason for that".
Later in the conversation aboard Air Force One, Trump declared his commitment to acquiring and assuming control over Gaza but mentioned that he may transfer parts of the territory to other Middle Eastern countries to aid in reconstruction efforts. He also emphasized his commitment to supporting the Palestinians, adding that he would discuss future plans for the region with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz also commented on the grave condition of the three hostages released from Hamas captivity, stating, "This must end."
