President-elect Donald Trump has issued stern warnings against terrorist group Hamas, warning they will face severe consequences if hostages they have been holding since October 7th, 2023, are not released.
President Trump's comments come after Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire deal with Israel that was reportedly partly brokered by Trump.
Trump, criticizing the "all talk, but no action" diplomatic efforts to return Hamas' hostages home, threatened Hamas he will ensure they suffer direly if hostages are not returned prior to his presidential inauguration.
"Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity," said Trump. "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America."
Israel has been battling Hamas since the latter executed their infamous October 7th attacks, and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have invaded the Gaza strip and vowed to completely dismantle and eliminate Hamas.
However, over 60 hostages are reportedly still held by Hamas.
The US government has demonstrated bipartisan support for Israel, yet President Joe Biden and some Democrats have been criticized by conservatives for being excessively conciliatory towards Hamas and frustrating Israel's war efforts.
Indeed, President Biden’s administration has collided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s management of Israel’s wars against Hamas and Hezbollah.
Biden’s administration has attempted to balance supporting Israel’s military with the humanitarian concerns of Palestinians and Palestinian supporters in the US.
Conversely, Trump's election and his recent cabinet nominations forecast a shift in the US' Israel policy towards a more hardline approach that prioritizes Israel's war efforts and shows little deference to Hamas and Palestinian concerns.
For example, Trump recently selected former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as his ambassador to Israel.
Huckabee has been a staunch supporter of the state of Israel and has previously been cited as endorsing Israeli settlements in disputed areas such as the West Bank.
Another of Trump’s recent cabinet picks, Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL), condemned Biden’s Israel and broader Middle East policy as having “completely failed” and has previously suggested Israel should be supported more fervently.
