18 hours ago
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US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday warned the
Hamas
if the group failed to release all the hostages free by his Inaugration Day, January 20, then "all hell will break out in the Middle East."
In a news conference at his Florida estate, Trump issued repeated warnings about potential consequences in the Middle East and said that if Hamas failed to do so then it won't be good for anyone including the group.
"If they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East," he told reporters. "And 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 any more, but that's what it is."
The specifics of Trump's intended actions remained unclear, and he provided no details about his team's pre-inauguration preparations. Approximately 100 hostages, including American citizens, remain in captivity in Gaza since October 7, 2023, though many are feared deceased, New York Times reported.
"They should have never taken them," Trump told reporters. "There should have never been the attack of October 7. People forget that. But there was, and many people were killed."
President Biden's administration has spent months attempting to secure the hostages' release. Despite several promising moments, negotiations have faltered due to Hamas's rejections and Israeli objections to proposed arrangements.
Middle East experts expressed uncertainty about Trump's statements. Daniel Kurtzer, a former US ambassador to Israel, questioned the substance behind the threats. Given Israel's extensive military campaign against Hamas over 15 months, the potential impact of additional US or Israeli actions remains uncertain.
Aaron David Miller, previously a State Department analyst, questioned Trump's ability to influence both Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in achieving a resolution.
Steve Witkoff, Trump's designated Middle East envoy, spoke optimistically about ongoing negotiations, acknowledging collaboration with the Biden administration whilst attributing progress to Trump's influence. Witkoff mentioned plans to return to Doha for continued talks.
The transition between administrations has affected hostage negotiations, with families urging cooperation between Biden and Trump officials. Both teams appear focused on using the inauguration deadline to pressure Hamas for releases, with Biden's team maintaining communication with Trump's representatives regarding negotiation developments.
