Trump issues Hamas an ultimatum if the hostages are not released

President-elect Donald Trump has issued an extraordinary threat to Hamas, saying that if the hostages are not released at his inauguration, there will be “hell to pay” in the Middle East. Trump made the grim threat on his Truth Social site, on a day when the Israel Defense Force confirmed the death of American-Israeli hostage Omer Maxim and said he died while defending a kibbutz during the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel.

Hamas also released graphic hostage images two days ago of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, who was held captive for 420 days while the US helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. ‘Everyone is talking about the hostages being held in the Middle East so violently, inhumanely and against the will of the entire world. But it’s all talk and no action!’ Trump wrote.

“Please let this TRUTH serve to make it clear 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 ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who committed these atrocities against humanity.”

“Those responsible will be hit harder than anyone in the long and storied history of the United States of America. Release the hostages now!’ Trump demanded. Trump made no specific mention of Hamas or other terror groups possibly holding hostages.

A total of 251 people were taken, of which more than 60 are still being held. He issued the statement while President Joe Biden was on the ground in Angola for what is expected to be his last trip abroad. His administration continues to try to negotiate the release of the remaining American and other hostages as part of a broader ceasefire deal.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the sides were “not there yet” as regional leaders continued to meet. ‘We are actively working to make this possible. We are deeply involved with the key players in the region, and even today there is still activity,” he told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

He also talked about a hostage treaty on ABC’s “This Week,” where he said “there’s one president at a time” and talked about Biden’s diplomatic efforts. It was not immediately clear how Trump’s comments would help shape the state of play during the unusual weeks-long stretch of a presidential transition.

Trump made other comments about the transition during the campaign and also said he will end Russia’s war against Ukraine. “I will have that ready within 24 hours,” he said in May 2023. Families of the hostages have continued to issue urgent pleas for their release.

The IDF told the family of 21-year-old New Yorker Omer Maxim Neutra the heartbreaking news that he had been killed. The dual US-Israeli citizen’s family believed he was one of the hostages still being held alive. The IDF said he was killed on October 7 and that Hamas terrorists took his body.

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