President-elect Trump has promised that there will be “all hell to pay” if Hamas’ hostages are not released before his inauguration on January 20.
In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that nothing has been done to free those detained by the Iran-backed terror group since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing at least 1,200 people and kidnapping at least 250 others.
At least seven of the hostages are American.
“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!” Trump wrote.
“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.
Hamas put out a video on Saturday of an Israeli-American hostage pleading to be freed.
On the video, Edan Alexander, 20, is seen crying and his face. Hamas terrorists took him hostage on October 7, 2023.
Alexander said he had been locked up for more than 420 days and had been forced to send messages to Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His office said Monday that Netanyahu talked to Alexander’s family and is ready “to do everything to bring them back home.”
“They will be hit harder than anyone has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America,” Trump said of the people who took the hostages.
Israel and Hamas still have not reached a permanent cease-fire deal more than a year after the attacks. Israeli troops are still conducting military operations in Gaza.
A cease-fire agreement was made between Israel and Lebanon in November. This came after Hezbollah attacked Israel’s north for a year. Israel said on Monday that Hezbollah broke the cease-fire by firing two missiles. There was no harm.
“We are determined to continue to enforce the cease-fire, and to respond to any violation by Hezbollah – minor or serious,” he said.