US President-elect Donald Trump has promised “there will be hell to pay” if hostages held in Gaza are not released by the time he takes office on January 20.
Taking to Truth Social on Monday, the US president-elect decried “all talk, and no action” about the hostages in apparent derision of Joe Biden and his administration’s inability to strike a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in more than a year of war.
He added: “Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity.”
Trump further wroet: “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!”
The social media post unveiled no details on what the threat would entail or if it could involve the deployment of the US military. The post also did not mention which parties it was referring to but notably referenced only captives held by Hamas without mentioning Palestinian civilians who have borne the brunt of Israeli operations in Gaza.
Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Hamas leaders have been accused of scuttling negotiations to end the fighting for months.
Hamas has repeatedly offered to release hostages in return for an end to the Gaza war. However, the Israeli government is adamant the war will continue until the group is totally defeated.
Taking to the X, formerly known as twitter, Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Trump’s port: “Thank you and bless you Mr. President-elect @realDonaldTrump. We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home!”
