The American news website "Axios" revealed on Saturday that President-elect Donald Trump believed that most of the Israeli prisoners held by Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip were dead.

The website quoted informed sources as saying that Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Trump to congratulate him on his election victory, and the Israeli president told Trump that securing the release of the 101 hostages is an "urgent issue."

Weeks ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that there are 101 hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip, about half of whom are alive.

Axios sources continued: "Herzog told Trump: You have to save the hostages, and the American president-elect replied: Almost all of the hostages are probably dead, so the Israeli president told Trump that the Israeli intelligence services believe that half of them are still alive, and according to the agency, Trump was surprised and said that he was not aware of that."

The website explained that Trump will bear responsibility for the release of the seven Americans held in Gaza, four of whom are believed to be alive.

White House press secretary Caroline Levitt said: "President Trump will serve as the lead negotiator for the United States, and will work to return the hostages to their homes."

Axios also quoted an Israeli official as saying that "if a ceasefire agreement is reached in Lebanon, it will increase pressure on Hamas and refocus efforts on reaching a deal to release the hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza."

It also reported that Israeli officials said that Trump wants the war in Gaza to end quickly, and "he will have much more influence over Netanyahu than current President Joe Biden."