United States President-elect, Donald Trump, has vowed that there would be “hell to pay” in the Middle East if hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza are not released before he assumes office on January 20, 2025.
The hostages, more than 250 individuals captured during the October 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel, include foreign nationals and dual Israeli-American citizens.
According to Israeli sources, roughly half of the remaining 101 hostages are believed to be alive and held incommunicado.
He said: “If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity.”
Trump further warned that those responsible for the kidnappings would face severe retaliation, stating, “They will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America.”
Reuters reports that Hamas has called for an end to the war and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as part of any agreement for the release of the remaining hostages.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed that the war will continue until Hamas is eradicated and no longer poses a threat to Israel.
On Monday, Hamas reported that 33 hostages in Gaza had been killed during the nearly 14-month-long conflict between the Palestinian militant group and Israel, though it did not provide their nationalities.
The war began after Hamas fighters attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, according to Israeli sources.
Israel’s military response has resulted in over 44,400 Palestinian deaths and displaced most of Gaza’s population, according to officials in Gaza. Large parts of the enclave are in ruins.
