In a sharp warning to Hamas, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump vowed on Monday to impose severe repercussions if the group does not release the hostages captured during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Speaking in a forceful tone, Trump declared that failure to free the captives by January 20, 2025, the day he assumes office, would result in “all hell to pay” in the Middle East.
The October 7 attack, in which Hamas militants killed over 1,200 people in Israel, led to the capture of more than 250 hostages, including dual Israeli-American nationals. Although some hostages have been released, nearly half of the 101 foreign and Israeli hostages are still believed to be alive and held in Gaza.
“Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America,” Trump said in a social media post, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to securing their release.
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113584730902816413
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113584730902816413
Hamas has reportedly demanded an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as part of a potential deal to release the hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated unequivocally that the military campaign against Hamas will persist until the group is dismantled and no longer poses a threat to Israel.
The hostage crisis has remained a focal point of the ongoing 14-month conflict, which began after the October 2023 attack. On Monday, Hamas claimed that 33 hostages had been killed in Gaza amid the hostilities, but it provided no details regarding their nationalities.
Israeli forces have escalated their military offensive against Hamas, with officials citing the necessity of eliminating the group’s infrastructure in Gaza. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 44,400 Palestinians and displaced the majority of Gaza’s population, according to local authorities.
As tensions rise ahead of Trump’s inauguration, global leaders are urging diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and resolve the conflict. However, with both Hamas and Israel maintaining their hardened positions, prospects for a peaceful resolution remain uncertain.
