Trump warns of 'hell to pay' if hostages not released
President-elect Donald Trump has issued a demand for the immediate release of Israeli captives who are still being held in Gaza.
He has stated that there would be "HELL TO PAY" if they are not released before he is sworn into office for a second term in office, as Breitbart News reported.
“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 wrote in a post on his Truth Social site.
He added that: “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!”
Trump's Possible Responses
It was unclear at the time whether Trump was threatening to use U.S. forces in Israel's continuing war against Hamas in Gaza.
An ally of Trump's has stated that Trump is hoping for a hostage release and truce before he takes office again in the new year.
Benjamin Netanyahu's staff chose not to comment. On the other hand, President Isaac Herzog of the nation praised Trump's remarks in a social media post.
“Thank you and bless you Mr. President-elect @realDonaldTrump,” he wrote on X. “We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home!”
The War
On October 7, 2023, terrorists led by Hamas invaded southern Israel, beginning the Gaza War. They killed over 1,200 people, the majority of them were civilians, and took around 250 people captive.
Roughly two-thirds of the 100 detainees are thought to be alive and still inside Gaza.
Omer Neutra was a dual US-Israeli citizen whose body is reportedly still in the possession of Hamas in Gaza; hours before Trump's threat, the Israeli government confirmed Neutra's death.
Edan Alexander, an Israeli soldier kidnapped and held in Gaza by Hamas, had his hostage footage published by the group a few days ago. Despite appearing to be under pressure while filming, Alexander urges Trump to negotiate the release of him and the other hostages held by Hamas.
