US President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stark warning, vowing unprecedented retaliation if hostages seized in October 2023 are not released before his January 20, 2025, inauguration.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared, “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.”
The hostage crisis stems from the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel, which resulted in 1,208 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals. Of those hostages, 97 remain in Gaza, including 35 confirmed dead, according to Israeli military data.
Israel’s ongoing retaliatory strikes have killed 44,429 lives in Gaza, mostly women and children, per the territory’s health ministry, whose figures the United Nations and several other top organizations deem credible.
Outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration has pursued diplomatic efforts to address the crisis, aiming to negotiate a dual resolution to free the hostages and end Israel’s military campaign. However, no agreement has been reached.
Trump, who has pledged unwavering support for Israel, has framed his ultimatum as a pivot to assertive US leadership in the region.
Trump’s strong rhetoric signals a potential shift in US policy, amplifying tensions in an already volatile Middle East. His remarks could redefine the trajectory of US involvement in the region post-inauguration.
Observers are watching closely as the deadline looms, with uncertainty surrounding the fate of the hostages and the broader implications for regional stability.
