Trump Issues Stern Warning to Hamas Over Israeli Hostages
President-elect Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Tuesday, telling Hamas that if the hostages it holds in Gaza are not released by the time of his inauguration on January 20, “all hell will break out in the Middle East.”
Trump’s comments reflect his strong desire to avoid inheriting the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict as he prepares to take office in less than two weeks.
“It will not be good for Hamas, and frankly, it will not be good for anyone. All hell will break out. I don’t have to say more, but that’s the reality,” Trump stated during a speech at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He also emphasized that the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel “should never have happened.”
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s pick for special envoy to the Middle East, expressed optimism about the progress of negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to ensure the release of the hostages. He noted that negotiators were “making a lot of progress,” adding that the president’s reputation and remarks were pivotal in driving these negotiations forward.
While CNN reports that the Biden administration is leading the talks, Trump’s incoming team is being kept closely informed about developments.
However, a senior Biden administration official was more cautious, acknowledging the complexity of the negotiations. This official, who chose not to elaborate on the specifics of the talks, noted that while Witkoff had suggested the possibility of a deal before January 20, the situation remains challenging.
The Biden administration, which has been attempting to broker a ceasefire for over a year, continues to work in close coordination with the incoming Trump national security team. Yet, according to one senior Democrat close to the White House, many in the Biden administration are skeptical that a deal can be reached before President Biden leaves office. “They’re all skeptical,” the source said.
Efforts to establish a ceasefire have been ongoing since the October 7 attack, which led to the release of dozens of hostages. However, subsequent attempts to pause the conflict and facilitate the release of more hostages have been unsuccessful.
