Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump called for the return of the hostages at a New Jersey event regarding the fight against antisemitism on Friday.
"We want our hostages back, and they better be back before I assume office," he said.
Trump addresses Gaza hostages
"The hostages are largely dead," Trump said, further stating, "Hamas is really being difficult to negotiate with, and the reason is they're dead, not all but almost all."
"They're not going to keep people around for now three years; they're not going to be taking care of them for three years," he noted.
Trump also reiterated the notion that the October 7 massacre would never have happened had he been president.
Regarding the Iranian threats against Israel, Trump stated, "We must stand with our friend and partner Israel," adding, "We will strongly."
During his speech, Trump also condemned Kamala Harris and her running mate stating, "If Kamala Harris and Tim Waltz are elected, the radical-left flag-burners and Hamas sympathizers will not just be causing chaos on our streets; they will be running US foreign policy in the White House and Israel will be gone."