US President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Hamas, cautioning that “all hell will break out in the Middle East” should hostages held in Gaza remain in captivity beyond his inauguration on 20 January.
Repeating the warning four times, Trump refrained from elaborating on the measures he might take but underscored the urgency of the situation during a press briefing at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Approximately 100 individuals, including American citizens, were taken hostage during the 7 October 2023 attacks. Officials fear that a significant number
may have perished in captivity.
“All hell will break out. If those hostages aren’t back, I don’t want to hurt your negotiation, if they’re not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East,” Trump declared.
The President-elect’s remarks followed questions about ongoing negotiations with Hamas to secure the hostages’ release. Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steven Charles Witkoff, expressed optimism about recent progress.
“I believe we’ve been on the verge of it. I don’t want to discuss sort of what’s delayed it, no point in being negative in any way. But I think it’s the president, his stature, what he’s said he expects, the red lines he’s put out there, that’s driving this negotiation,” Witkoff stated.
Negotiations, hosted in Doha, Qatar, involve discussions between Hamas and Israeli representatives.
According to National Public Radio, Hamas has proposed the release of 34 hostages, including two dual US citizens, as part of a potential ceasefire agreement.
Witkoff, preparing to return to Doha, added, “I think we’ve had some really great progress and I’m really hopeful that by the inauguration we’ll have some good things to announce on behalf of the president.”
The President-elect reiterated his warning: “It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good frankly for anyone. All hell will break out. I don’t have to say anymore, but that’s what it is.”
He also lamented the attacks of 7 October, during which numerous lives were lost. “They’re no longer hostages. I have people from Israel and others calling, begging me to get — we also had people there from the United States just so you know,” Trump said.
Reflecting on the harrowing stories of victims, he recounted: “That beautiful girl where they threw her in the car, pulled her by her ponytail and threw her in the car like she was a sack of potatoes. I said, what happened to her? Sir, she’s dead.”
The Biden administration, which has struggled to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza, saw initial success with the release of dozens of hostages following the October attacks. However, subsequent efforts have stalled. Trump reiterated that time is running out for Hamas to act.
“I tell this, I don’t want to hurt the negotiation. If the deal isn’t done before I take office, which is now going to be two weeks, all hell will break out in the Middle East,” he concluded.
Follow us
