Ted Budd, Senator of North Carolina, said that Hamas has held hostages in Gaza for over 600 days. He urged their immediate release and credited former President Trump’s commitment to freeing Americans. The statement was made on the social media platform X.
“Since Day 1, President Donald J. Trump has prioritized securing the release of U.S. hostages around the world, including Keith Siegel from NC,” said Budd. “For 640 days, Hamas has held 50 hostages in Gaza, including 2 Americans. Hamas must release them or face swift consequences.”
International and U.S. efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have intensified since October 2023. According to Times Union, countries such as the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been involved in brokering ceasefire negotiations that link hostage releases to pauses in conflict. Recent talks reportedly led Hamas to agree to release hostages as part of a proposed truce, highlighting the complex balance between security and humanitarian priorities.
According to Reuters, since October 7, 2023, Hamas has abducted 251 hostages, including 138 foreign nationals. About 50 are believed to remain in Gaza as of June 2025, with at least 27 presumed dead. This situation reflects the ongoing challenges of international hostage recovery.
The Guardian reports that U.S. hostage recovery policy under both the Trump and Biden administrations has resulted in the release of more than a dozen Americans since 2020. However, high-profile captives like Edan Alexander remained in Gaza until 2025, underscoring the difficulties in balancing military operations with diplomatic efforts.
Budd, a Republican U.S. Senator from North Carolina since 2023 and former House member, has hosted meetings with recently released hostages and their families. According to his official Senate website, he has issued bipartisan statements on hostage recovery and advocates for tough action against Hamas.
