President-elect Donald Trump has issued a strong warning regarding the situation with hostages taken by Hamas. He stated that if the hostages are not released before he takes office on January 20, 2025, there would be serious consequences for those responsible.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized the lack of action to free a number of hostages held by the Iran-backed group since their violent attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals and the abduction of around 250 others, including at least seven American citizens.
“Everyone is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently and inhumanely, but it seems like it’s all just words and no action,” Trump remarked. He emphasized that if nothing is done, those accountable will face severe repercussions.
Recently, a video surfaced showing Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old Israeli-American hostage, pleading for his release. Alexander, who was kidnapped during the Hamas attack, has been held for more than 420 days and has been forced to deliver messages to both the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Trump. Netanyahu’s office has assured that they will do everything possible to bring the hostages back home.
Trump has stated that those who perpetrated these acts would face unprecedented consequences, saying they would be “hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America.”
The situation remains tense as efforts for a permanent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas have not yet succeeded, and military actions continue in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel has encountered issues with Hezbollah, which recently violated a cease-fire agreement by launching projectiles into Israeli territory, though fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Netanyahu maintains that Israel will respond decisively to any violations of cease-fire agreements, emphasizing that security remains a top priority.
