On Monday, President-elect Trump made a threat to unleash “hell” in the Middle East if the hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip are not released before his inauguration on January 20.
This threat highlights the urgency of efforts to secure a ceasefire deal and release the hostages.
Truth Social, the social networking platform that Trump uses, published a post in which he urged that the hostages be released prior to his inauguration.
“Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East – But it’s all talk, and no action! 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 said.
“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!” he concluded.
The declaration made by the president-elect comes after it was confirmed on Monday that American Israeli Omer Neutra, who was believed to be alive and kept hostage in Gaza, was murdered during Hamas’ attack on October 7; however, his body has been held captive by the terrorist organization that the United States has recognized as a terrorist organization.
Prior to his departure from office, President Biden has pledged to resume diplomatic efforts with the goal of reaching a truce and a hostage release agreement with Hamas.
Despite the fact that the administration has stated that Hamas is the primary hurdle to reaching a ceasefire agreement, critics of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have pointed the finger of blame at him for rejecting plans to reduce Israel’s military presence in the Gaza Strip.
Biden claimed in September that Netanyahu was not making sufficient efforts to reach a compromise that would allow the hostages to return home.
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