US President-elect Donald Trump has issued a warning to militants in Gaza that there will be massive repercussions if hostages are not released by the time he takes office.
The threat follows extensive diplomatic efforts by outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration, which has so far been unsuccessful in brokering a deal to both end Israel’s conflict in Gaza and secure the release of hostages taken 14 months ago.
“If the hostages are not released before January 20, 2025—the day I proudly take office as President of the United States—there will be “severe consequences” in the Middle East and for those responsible for these atrocities against humanity,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“Those responsible will be hit harder than anyone has ever been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America. Release the hostages now!”
Trump has pledged strong support for Israel while also seeking to distance himself from Biden’s occasional criticisms. He has expressed a desire to negotiate significant deals on the global stage.
Hamas carried out the deadliest attack on Israel in its history on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,208 deaths, primarily civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli government figures.
During the attack, militants took 251 hostages, some of whom were already deceased. Of the remaining hostages, 97 are still being held in Gaza, including 35 whom the Israeli military reports as dead.
In response, Israel’s military campaign has resulted in 44,429 deaths in Gaza, based on figures from the territory’s health ministry, which the United Nations deems reliable.
