President-elect Donald Trump has issued a fiery warning to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza.
Trump, posting on his Truth Social platform, vowed that failure to comply before his inauguration on January 20, 2025, would lead to severe consequences.
“If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, there will be all hell to pay in the Middle East,” Trump declared.
In a follow-up post, he added, “Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America.”
Trump’s comments mark his strongest stance on the ongoing crisis since his election in November.
The situation involves over 250 hostages taken during Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
According to Israeli officials, at least 100 hostages remain in captivity, while others have been confirmed dead.
The October attack, which left 1,200 Israelis dead, is considered the deadliest in the nation’s history.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed gratitude.
“Thank you and bless you, Mr. President-elect @realDonaldTrump. We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home!” Herzog posted on social media.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not commented on Trump’s statement.
Meanwhile, Hamas remains firm in its demands, linking any release of hostages to an end to Israel’s military operations and a full withdrawal from Gaza.
The Biden administration has been engaged in intense diplomacy to de-escalate the conflict.
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was brokered, but Hamas has shown little willingness to negotiate broader peace terms.
The ongoing conflict has devastated Gaza, with Israeli airstrikes killing over 44,400 Palestinians.
Nearly 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, according to the territory’s health ministry.
Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, leaving a humanitarian crisis in the wake of the war.
Trump’s threats came shortly after Israel confirmed the death of Omer Neutra, a dual US-Israeli citizen whose body remains in Gaza.
Hamas also released a video of Edan Alexander, an Israeli soldier, pleading for Trump to help secure the release of captives.
Trump’s allies hope that a deal to release the hostages can be reached before he assumes office.
However, both Israel and Hamas remain entrenched in their positions, showing no signs of compromise.
