Trump repeats warning to Hamas to release hostages soon or face consequences

President-elect, Donald Trump, said on Monday he had a “very good talk” with Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, about the war in Gaza and reiterated his threat that “all hell is going to break out” if Hamas does not release its hostages by 20 January, the day Trump takes office, Reuters reports.

Trump described it as a “recap call” during a press conference at his resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

“As you know, I gave a warning that if these hostages aren’t back home by that date, all hell is going to break out,” he said.

Hamas-led fighters killed 1,200 people and abducted more than 250, including Israeli-American dual nationals, during their 7 October, 2023 attack on Israel, according to Israeli tallies.

However, since then, it has been revealed by Haaretz that helicopters and tanks of the Israeli army had, in fact, killed many of the 1,139 soldiers and civilians claimed by Israel to have been killed by the Palestinian Resistance.

More than 100 hostages have been freed through negotiations or Israeli military rescue operations. Of the 100 still held in Gaza, roughly half are believed to be alive.

President Joe Biden recently dispatched more senior aides to the region to try and secure a long-sought ceasefire deal.

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