March 1, 2025 | Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump will welcome a delegation of recently freed Israeli hostages, including Eli Sharabi, to the White House on Tuesday, March 4, just hours before delivering his first State of the Union address since returning to office. The meeting, confirmed by Sharabi’s brother Sharon to the Times of Israel and amplified on X by journalist Jacob Kornbluh, underscores Trump’s focus on the Israel-Hamas conflict and his administration’s role in securing a fragile ceasefire that has freed 16 hostages since January 19, 2025. Facilitated by billionaire donor Miriam Adelson, who provided her private jet “Air Adelson” for the trip, the visit aims to pressure Trump to prioritize the release of the 73 captives still held in Gaza, including at least 34 confirmed dead.
A Harrowing Tale: Eli Sharabi’s Ordeal
Eli Sharabi, 52, embodies the human toll of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 abducted. Kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri, Sharabi endured 491 days in captivity, where he was beaten, starved, and chained, losing 40% of his body weight—dropping from a healthy frame to a gaunt figure seen in haunting February 8 release footage. Unaware during his ordeal that his wife, Lianne, and daughters, Noiya (16) and Yahel (13), were murdered in their home’s safe room, Sharabi learned of their deaths only upon returning to Israel. His brother Yossi, also taken hostage, was likely killed by an Israeli airstrike, with Hamas still holding his body.
In a February 27 Channel 12 interview, Sharabi recounted surviving on 250–300 calories daily for months, describing tunnels where he formed bonds with fellow captives like Alon Ohel, still held in Gaza. “Every irresponsible statement [from Israeli leaders]—we’re the first ones to suffer,” he said, noting Hamas worsened abuse in response to figures like Itamar Ben Gvir boasting about Palestinian prisoner conditions. Trump, who watched this testimony, likened Sharabi and others to “Holocaust survivors,” a comment that stirred debate but highlighted the captives’ dire state.
The Delegation’s Mission
Sharon Sharabi told Channel 12 that the delegation—whose other members remain unnamed—will urge Trump to leverage U.S. influence to secure the remaining hostages’ release. With the ceasefire’s first phase nearing its end on March 2, negotiations for Phase 2, which could free more captives, hang in limbo. The group’s flight on Air Adelson, a Boeing 737 owned by Miriam Adelson, widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, reflects her pivotal role. A prolific pro-Israel donor, she gave $100 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign and reportedly lobbied him in December 2024 to pressure Hamas, per The Jerusalem Post. Her generosity now extends to this high-profile visit, amplifying its political weight.
The hostages’ families see Trump as a critical ally. After meeting his team—including national security adviser Michael Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff—at his January 20 inauguration, relatives like Jonathan Dekel-Chen expressed cautious optimism. “We’re grateful for Trump’s team getting us this far, but the job’s not done,” Dekel-Chen told The Washington Post, his son Sagui still captive. Tuesday’s meeting could signal whether Trump will push beyond rhetoric into actionable policy.
Trump’s Stance and the State of the Union
Trump’s decision to host the delegation hours before his 9 PM EST address suggests the hostage crisis will feature prominently. Since taking office, he has credited himself with accelerating the ceasefire, pointing to a December 2024 social media warning to Hamas: “Release the hostages, or face consequences.” The January 19 deal—33 hostages for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners over six weeks—followed, though Hamas insists on Phase 2’s “sustainable calm” before releasing more, per AFP. Trump’s February 15 claim that his “noon deadline” spurred Saturday’s releases remains unverified but aligns with his narrative of decisive leadership.
The State of the Union offers Trump a platform to address this alongside domestic priorities like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), co-led by Elon Musk. Musk’s March 1 X remarks supporting U.S. withdrawal from NATO and the UN—potentially foreshadowing Trump’s views—could intersect with the hostage issue if Trump frames multilateral bodies as impeding U.S. action. His past pro-Israel moves, like moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, bolstered by Adelson’s influence, suggest he may double down on unilateral support for Israel.
The Bigger Picture: Ceasefire Fragility and U.S. Policy
The ceasefire, brokered with Qatar and Egypt, has freed 16 Israelis and five Thais, but 73 remain in Gaza amid a war that has killed 47,500 Palestinians and razed two-thirds of the enclave, per Gaza’s health ministry and UN estimates. Hamas’s reemergence in Gaza, recruiting thousands per Israeli assessments, and Netanyahu’s hints at resuming fighting threaten Phase 2. The freed hostages’ conditions—Sharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami emerged emaciated on February 8—have fueled global outrage, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog calling it a “crime against humanity.”
Trump’s meeting could shape U.S. strategy. His February 15 pledge to back Israel’s decisions, per The Times of Israel, contrasts with Arab nations’ alternate Gaza plan, per Reuters. The $4 billion military aid expedited to Israel on March 1, per The Times of Israel, signals continued support, but the hostage issue tests Trump’s balance of might and diplomacy. Families argue military operations alone can’t free captives—Sharabi told Channel 12, “It’s not possible”—pushing for negotiation.
Implications and Reactions
The White House visit has sparked varied responses. Israeli hostage families, gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, see it as a lifeline, with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum demanding all captives return by March 9. Critics, like Gil Dickmann, lament reliance on Trump over Netanyahu, per The Washington Post. On X, support for Trump’s involvement mixes with skepticism about his motives, given Adelson’s sway and Musk’s isolationist leanings.
Internationally, the meeting pressures Hamas, whose February 8 hostage parade drew Netanyahu’s vow to “eliminate” them. NATO chief Mark Rutte and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, navigating Trump’s orbit, may watch warily if U.S. foreign policy shifts further from alliances. Domestically, it could rally Trump’s base—evident at his February 15 call with Jewish leaders—but risks alienating moderates if tied to DOGE’s controversial cuts or Musk’s NATO stance.
What’s Next?
As of 10:34 PM PST on March 1, details of Tuesday’s meeting remain fluid. Will Trump announce new diplomatic moves, or use the hostages’ stories to bolster his America First narrative? The State of the Union will clarify his intent, but the delegation’s plea—echoed by Sharabi’s frail wave to a Hamas crowd, unaware of his loss—underscores the urgency. With Air Adelson landing in D.C., the world awaits whether Trump can turn symbolism into salvation for those still in Gaza’s tunnels.
