OSLO, NORWAY — In a move that highlights the deep emotional stakes of the Gaza conflict, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum has urged the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump. Their open letter, sent on October 6, 2025, praised Trump's intensive diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
Cristen Papas
The forum's appeal coincides with critical negotiations in Egypt, where a 20-point peace plan proposed by the American president is being discussed. This comprehensive plan is seen by many, especially the families, as the most viable path toward a permanent ceasefire and the safe return of their loved ones. The forum's statement expressed a renewed sense of hope, noting Trump's promise that he "will not rest until the last hostage is brought home."
The families' plea is a powerful endorsement from those most affected by the ongoing crisis, which began with the October 7, 2023, attacks. They specifically referenced a previous U.S.-mediated ceasefire earlier in the year that led to the release of dozens of captives, reinforcing their faith in Trump’s ability to broker a lasting deal. The current proposal includes a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, a significant hostage-for-prisoner exchange, and the establishment of a new international governing body for Gaza.
Beyond the families' emotional appeal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also formally nominated Trump for the award. In a July 2025 letter to the Nobel Committee, Netanyahu cited Trump's contributions to advancing peace in the Middle East as the basis for his nomination.
The Nobel Committee is set to announce its decision in the coming days, with the Nobel Peace Prize laureate being named on Friday, October 10. The families' call, while not a formal nomination, underscores the immense human cost of the conflict and the hope for a diplomatic resolution. It places a spotlight on the diplomatic efforts underway and the desperate need for a conclusion that brings both peace to the region and the hostages back home.
