Those in charge of the hostages, who were taken when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, would be “hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America,” according to the president-elect.
According to Donald Trump, if the prisoners in Gaza are not freed before his inauguration, there would be “hell to pay.”
If his demand is not fulfilled, the president-elect said on his Truth Social platform: “Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America.”
While one of his ministers called Mr. Trump’s speech “refreshing,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised him for it without specifically mentioning Hamas.
Mr. Trump stated: “Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire world, in the Middle East – but it’s all talk, and no action!”
After over 250 Israeli captives were abducted during the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, it is thought that there may still be 100 in Gaza.
At the beginning of a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Mr. Netanyahu declared: “Hamas must free the captives. Instead of focusing on the Israeli government, as is common elsewhere, President Trump focused on Hamas.

