Trump thanks hostage families group for backing Nobel Peace Prize bid

Donald Trump replied to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which praised his peace efforts in a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee
President Donald Trump wrote to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, thanking them for appealing to the Norwegian Nobel Committee (Getty Images, @NobelPrize/X)
President Donald Trump wrote to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, thanking them for appealing to the Norwegian Nobel Committee (Getty Images, @NobelPrize/X)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump issued a letter to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum on the second anniversary of the devastating October 7 attack by Hamas, thanking them for their appeal to the Norwegian Nobel Committee. This comes as Israel and Hamas are engaged in negotiations over Trump’s peace plan.

Trump thanks hostage families, pledges to end Hamas threat

“Since the abhorrent events of October 7, 2023, that saw families ripped apart, children torn from their parents’ arms, and innocent people shot, killed, and r*ped, I have been resolved to returning all the hostages home, and ensuring the total destruction of Hamas so these horrific acts may never be repeated.

These unspeakable scenes have been seared into our memories, and we will never forget,” Trump wrote in the letter.

Trump thanks group representing families of hostages for Nobel Peace Prize appeal. (The White House)
Donald Trump thanks group representing families of hostages for Nobel Peace Prize appeal (The White House)

“My entire administration has been touched by the fact that, through the unimaginable pain and suffering of spending two years not knowing where your loved ones are, you have continued telling their stories and advocating on their behalf.”

Nobel Committee urged to recognize Trump’s peace efforts by hostage families

Trump’s letter was in response to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which issued a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, stating that after two years of suffering, they believed President Trump’s efforts had brought them to a turning point.

OSLO, NORWAY - DECEMBER 10: A plaque depicting Alfred Nobel at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony 2008 in Oslo City Hall on December 10, 2008 in Oslo, Norway. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008 to Martti Ahtisaari for his important efforts, on several continents and more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts. The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel. His will stated that the prize should be awarded by a committee of five people elected by the Norwegian Parliament. The Peace Prize is presented annually in Oslo, Norway, in the presence of the king, on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
A plaque depicting Alfred Nobel at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony 2008 in Oslo City Hall on December 10, 2008 in Oslo, Norway. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008 to Martti Ahtisaari for his important efforts, on several continents and more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts. The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel. His will stated that the prize should be awarded by a committee of five people elected by the Norwegian Parliament. The Peace Prize is presented annually in Oslo, Norway, in the presence of the king, on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The group also acknowledged the number of hostages released since Trump’s inauguration, giving some families the return of their loved ones and others “the dignity of burial and closure.”

“President Trump’s determination to bring peace made possible what many said was impossible. From the moment of his inauguration, he brought us light through our darkest times,” the forum wrote.

“We are confident that he will not rest until the last hostage is brought home, the war has ended, and peace and prosperity are restored to the people of the Middle East.”

“In this past year, no leader or organization has contributed more to peace around the world than President Trump. While many have spoken eloquently about peace, he has achieved it. While others have offered empty promises, he has delivered tangible results that have saved countless lives,” the letter concluded. 

Trump pushes for Middle East peace, urges Israel to halt Gaza strikes

It remains unclear whether Donald Trump will win the Nobel Peace Prize, but he has not given up on his goal of achieving peace and ending the war in the Middle East.

President Donald Trump hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a dinner in the Blue Room of the White House on July 7, 2025, in Washington, DC. Trump is hosting Netanyahu to discuss a potential ceasefire agreement to end the fighting in Gaza. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a dinner in the Blue Room of the White House on July 7, 2025, in Washington, DC. Trump is hosting Netanyahu to discuss a potential ceasefire agreement to end the fighting in Gaza (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Over the weekend, Trump urged negotiators in the indirect talks to “move fast.” He also praised Hamas for what he viewed as progress and called on Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza.”

During his visit to the US last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted the 20-point plan, while Hamas said it would release the hostages, though it did not give a clear response to the proposal.

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