Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel knows “for certain” that 21 hostages are still alive in Gaza. His remarks came just hours after President Donald Trump stunned reporters with a similar count, fueling confusion and growing demands for transparency.

“There are another three who, unfortunately, there is doubt if they are alive,” Netanyahu added. “But we are not giving up on any of them.”

The statement marks the first time Netanyahu has publicly acknowledged the grim possibility that some of the hostages previously believed to be alive may, in fact, have been killed. For months, the number of living hostages had stood at 24—a figure cited by Israeli officials and shared with families. Trump’s assertion on Tuesday that only 21 remain alive triggered a wave of anxiety and frustration among hostage families, some of whom accused the Israeli government of withholding information.

“If the Americans know more than we do,” one family member said, “then someone in our government has blood on their hands for not telling us the truth.”

Now, with Netanyahu essentially confirming Trump’s count, the families’ worst fears appear closer to reality.

The Prime Minister’s statement quickly pivoted from sorrow to resolve. In a pointed message following Trump’s announcement of a unilateral U.S.-Houthi ceasefire, Netanyahu made it clear: Israel will go it alone if necessary.

“Israel will defend itself by itself,” he said. “We are doing this in Yemen, we are doing this in other places, at great distances. Israel has a very long arm, and we will know how to employ it.”

Though he welcomed American support—“If others join in, our American friends, even better”—Netanyahu repeated his central mantra: “If they don’t, we will defend ourselves by ourselves.”

He also called Iran “a great challenge,” reaffirming Israel’s readiness to take independent action across the region.

The statement comes as pressure builds both at home and abroad. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum renewed its plea for immediate transparency, demanding that the Israeli government share any updated intelligence. “If there is new information that has been hidden from us, transfer it to us immediately,” the group said in a statement issued Wednesday morning.

The families have also reiterated their call to pause military operations in Gaza until the hostages are returned, warning that the window to rescue them alive may be closing.

The U.S., meanwhile, appears to be moving cautiously. Trump said “there’s a lot of talk going on about Gaza right now,” hinting at possible new developments within 24 hours. He did not specify whether a new hostage deal is on the table ahead of his upcoming trip to the region.

Asked about Iran’s nuclear program, Trump struck a measured tone, saying the administration was aiming for the “total dismantlement” of Tehran’s weapons capabilities but remained open to allowing the Islamic Republic to pursue civilian nuclear energy.

The developments come on the heels of a major Israeli policy shift, as the government recently approved plans to seize parts of the Gaza Strip and maintain a long-term presence to recover hostages and dismantle Hamas.

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