Trump Warns of ‘Hell to Pay’ if Hostages from October 7 Are Not Released by His Inauguration Date
Approximately 100 hostages are currently held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, having been taken from Israel on October 7, 2023.
President-elect Donald Trump has issued a warning of severe consequences if the hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, are not released before he takes office on January 20 of the upcoming year.
“Everyone is discussing the hostages who are being held so brutally, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire world in the Middle East—but it’s just talk, with no action!” Trump expressed in a December 2 post on his Truth Social media platform.
“Let this TRUTH be a reminder that if the hostages are not released before January 20, 2025, the date on which I proudly take office as President of the United States, there will be major repercussions in the Middle East, and for those responsible for these acts against humanity.”
Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and Israel, initiated assaults across southern Israel and took approximately 250 individuals hostage on October 7, 2023.
In November 2023, Hamas consented to release about 100 hostages as part of a week-long cease-fire agreement. Additionally, Israeli forces have retrieved a few more hostages through military missions over the past year. Currently, about 100 hostages remain in Gaza as negotiations for a lasting cease-fire and the complete release of hostages have stalled.
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“Those responsible will face retaliation harsher than anything experienced in the long and storied history of the United States of America,” Trump’s December 2 message stated. “Release the hostages now!” he urged, using all capital letters.
This report is ongoing and will be updated.
