The Times of Israel is liveblogging Saturday’s events as they happen.
Trump: ‘We’re in very deep negotiations with Hamas,’ some hostages may have ‘recently died’
US President Donald Trump is asked by a reporter in the Oval Office about the status of the mediated hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
“We’re in very deep negotiations with Hamas. We said, ‘let ’em all out, right now, let ’em all out, and much better things will happen'” Trump says, adding that if Hamas doesn’t return the captives from Gaza “it’s going to be a tough situation, it’s going to be nasty… Israel’s choice, but that’s my opinion.”
Referring to parents of the slain hostages, who Trump describes as “young beautiful dead people,” he says they “want them every bit as much — almost more — than as if their son or daughter were alive. But you have many dead people that are coming out as part of the deal.”
He says that of the at least 20 hostages believed to be alive, “there could be some that recently died, is what I’m hearing. I hope that’s wrong.”
Trump reiterates the point he made in a Truth Social post Thursday, in which he called on Hamas to release the remaining living hostages immediately, indicating that the US could accept the terror group’s survival if it does so.
‼️‼️ President Trump says the US administration is in deep negotiations with Hamas calling them to release all hostages…
He also revealed that Jared Kushner is involved in the negotiations . pic.twitter.com/xzO9VpWVC4
— Hiba Nasr (@HibaNasr) September 5, 2025
Trump signs order rebranding US Department of Defense as ‘Department of War’
US President Donald Trump signs an order rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War, saying it sends a “message of victory” to the world.
“It’s a much more appropriate name in light of where the world is right now,” Trump tells reporters in the Oval Office, flanked by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, who can now be known as “secretary of war.”
Palestinian NGOs vow to continue cooperation with ICC despite US sanctions
Three Palestinian human rights groups that had US sanctions imposed on them for asking the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel over allegations of genocide in Gaza say they plan to continue their cooperation with the war crimes tribunal.
The three groups — the Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Human Rights and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Ramallah-based Al-Haq — were listed yesterday under what the US Treasury Department said were International Criminal Court-related designations.
The step marked a significant intensification of the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the ICC case against Israel, expanding Washington’s sanction campaign from court officials to outside groups that are backing the case against Israel.
Palestinian lawyer Raji Sourani, who runs the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, calls the sanctions “shameful” and says he will not be deterred.
“This is our reaction: business as usual, we are just in the court doing what we have to do,” Sourani tells reporters outside the ICC after meeting its deputy prosecutor.
The three human rights organizations asked the ICC in November 2023 to investigate Israeli air strikes on densely populated civilian areas of Gaza, the siege of the territory, and the displacement of the population. A year later, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief, Yoav Gallant, as well as leaders of the Hamas terror group, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Israel has also acted against al-Haq in the past, designating it a terrorist organization over its alleged links to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a terror group.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions on ICC judges as well as its chief prosecutor over the Israeli arrest warrants and a past decision to open a case into alleged war crimes by US troops in Afghanistan.
The ICC, which was established in 2002, has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in its 125 member countries. Some nations, including the US, China, Russia and Israel, do not recognize its authority.
Zamir to families: ‘Hostages are on my mind. I’m acting in most responsible way possible’
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir told the families of those held in Gaza that the hostages are on his mind amid the expanded operation in Gaza City, Channel 12 reports.
“The operation will be conducted by me, with responsibility for the troops and the hostages,” Zamir told the families, according to Channel 12.
“I believe in the operational plan. The people of Israel should know that I state, and will continue to state, my professional opinion. The hostages are on my mind. I am acting in the most responsible way possible,” Zamir reportedly said.
The outlet does not say when Zamir had the conversation with the families, or who was present.
Zamir is opposed to the government’s plan to conquer Gaza City and has urged the government to accept the deal to reach a ceasefire that will see the hostages released.
While he will carry out the orders to capture Gaza City, Zamir has reportedly warned the government to prepare for the consequences.