Washington: President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Hamas, demanding the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Trump declared on Truth Social that if the captives are not freed before his January 20, 2025, inauguration, those responsible will face unparalleled repercussions in the Middle East.
His statement read: “If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume office, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!”
According to Israeli authorities, Hamas captured 250 individuals, with approximately 100 hostages still in Gaza. About a third are presumed dead. The Biden administration, alongside mediators from Qatar and Egypt, has worked for months on ceasefire negotiations that would include their release, but progress has stalled.
Trump’s remarks follow Hamas’s release of a propaganda video showing hostage Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old American-Israeli, pleading for his freedom. The incident reignited global attention on the plight of hostages and heightened pressure on leadership.
Trump criticized ongoing efforts, calling them “all talk and no action” and highlighted his intent to prioritize decisive measures. This is consistent with his previous comments during the Republican National Convention, where he demanded the captives’ freedom and warned that the perpetrators “will pay a very big price.”
Efforts to secure the hostages’ release have been mixed. Some were freed during a brief ceasefire last year, and others were rescued during Israeli military operations. However, protests in Israel reflect public frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the crisis. Critics argue Netanyahu has prioritized political interests over resolving the hostage situation.
Trump’s declaration signals a potential shift in U.S. Middle East policy, emphasizing aggressive retaliation and an uncompromising stance against Hamas. His rhetoric underscores his willingness to take drastic measures, further complicating the geopolitical landscape as his administration prepares to assume power.
