President-elect Trump has demanded the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas before his inauguration.
President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas, threatening severe repercussions in the Middle East if the remaining Israeli hostages are not released before his inauguration. He urged both Israel and Hamas to resolve the conflict before January 20, 2025.
Over 250 hostages were taken by Hamas during their October assault on Israel. While some were freed during a brief truce and others rescued later, approximately 100 remain in Gaza. Hamas conditions their release on an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, a demand Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects.
“The hostages are being held violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the world,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday.
He declared that failure to release the hostages before his inauguration would result in “ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East” for those responsible for these “atrocities against Humanity.”
“Those responsible will face unprecedented consequences in the history of the United States,” he added.
Trump has pledged to address various global crises upon his return to office, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While providing few details, he’s previously used threats of violence or economic sanctions to influence foreign powers. Before his meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Trump threatened Pyongyang with extreme consequences.
Before his recent election victory, Trump reportedly informed Netanyahu of his desire to see the Israeli-Hamas conflict concluded before his inauguration. While Trump hasn’t confirmed these conversations, he’s publicly urged Israel to “finish up your war” this year.
Senator Lindsey Graham told Axios that Trump is committed to securing the hostages’ release and supports a ceasefire including a hostage exchange. Graham, a foreign policy expert, explained Trump aims to resolve the Gaza issue to focus on other priorities, such as normalizing Israeli-Saudi relations and forming a regional coalition against Iran.