President-elect Trump has promised “retribution from hell” if he does not release hostages held by Hamas by his inauguration on January 20th.
President Trump has been held by the Iranian-backed terrorist organization since October 7, 2023, after Hamas attacked Israel, killing at least 1,200 people and kidnapping at least 250, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. He said nothing was being done to free the people.
At least seven of the hostages are American.
Israel destroys Hezbollah's 'largest precision-guided missile manufacturing site'
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. President Trump has promised “hell to pay” if hostages held by Hamas are not released by his inauguration on January 20. (AP/Sebastian Scheiner)
“Everyone is talking about hostages being held in the Middle East in extremely violent, inhumane, and against the will of the entire world, but it's all talk and no action!” Trump wrote. Ta.
“Please let this truth be known: If the hostages are not released by January 20, 2025, the day I am proudly sworn in as President of the United States, there will be hell in the Middle East. Please stand up for those responsible for these atrocities against humanity,” Trump added.
Hamas released a video on Saturday of an Israeli-American hostage pleading for release.
The footage shows Edan Alexander, 20, covering his face and crying. He was abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023.
'The war followed us': Syrian family evacuated from Beirut to counter repression after Israeli airstrikes bomb their home
Edan Alexander, who was born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey, is currently being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. (Hostage Family Forum)
Alexander explained that he was a prisoner of war for more than 420 days and delivered forced messages to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken with Alexander's family and is determined to “take all actions to bring them home,” his office said in a statement on Monday.
President Trump said those responsible for taking the hostages “will be hit harder than anyone in the long history of the United States of America.”
More than a year after the attack, a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has not been agreed. Israeli forces continue military operations in the Gaza Strip.
A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was agreed in November following a year of attacks by Hezbollah targeting northern Israel. Israel announced on Monday that Hezbollah had broken the ceasefire by firing two projectiles. No one was harmed.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“We are determined to continue the ceasefire and respond to any violations, minor or major, by Hezbollah,” Netanyahu said.
