President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern ultimatum on Monday regarding hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In a social media post, Trump demanded the immediate release of those hostages, warning that failure to do so before his inauguration on January 20, 2025, would result in dire consequences.
"Everyone is talking about the hostages being held so violently, inhumanely and against the will of the whole world in the Middle East - But it's all talk and no action!" Trump wrote. "Please let this serve to represent that if the hostages are not released before January 20, 2025, the date I proudly take office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those responsible for committing these atrocities against humanity. Those responsible will be hit harder than anyone has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!”
Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, welcomed Trump's comments in a social media post.
"Thank you and bless you President-elect @realDonaldTrump," he wrote on X. "We are all praying for the moment to see our brothers and sisters home!"
Trump's threat came hours after the Israeli government confirmed the death of Omer Neutra, a dual US-Israeli citizen whose body is still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, according to the Israeli government.