NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is calling for the quick release of Israeli prisoners trapped in Gaza, claiming that there would be hell to pay if they are not released before he takes office.
Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social website that “there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity if the hostages are not released before January 20, 2025, the date I proudly assume Office as President of the United States.”
He went on to say that those who are accountable will suffer more severe consequences than anyone else in the lengthy and illustrious history of the United States of America. NOW LET THE HOSTAGES GO!
On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led militants invaded southern Israel, murdering around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and capturing about 250 hostage, sparking the start of the Gaza War.
Hours before Trump’s threat, the Israeli government acknowledged the murder of Omer Neutra, a dual US Israeli citizen, whose body is still thought to be in the hands of Hamas in Gaza.
A video of Edan Alexander, who was in the Israeli military when he was captured by Hamas and transferred to Gaza, was made public by the group a few days prior. Alexander, who appears to have been under duress during filming, urges Trump to try to negotiate his release and the release of the other Hamas hostages.
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