Trump threatens tough action if Israeli hostages are not released from Gaza

US President-elect Donald Trump demanded on Monday that hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack on Israel be released from Gaza before his inauguration in January, or there will be "hell to pay" in the Middle East for those who are responsible.

Writing on Truth, and without naming any militant group, Trump said in his tweet: "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 hell to pay." in the Middle East, to 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."

About 250 hostages were taken in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and about 100 of them remain in Gaza, with about a third believed to be dead, according to Israeli authorities.

The Biden administration has been working since last year with Israel and international mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, on a ceasefire agreement that would include the release of hostages, the Telegraph reports.

It was not clear what tactics Trump might take. Israel has killed many of Hamas' leaders and thousands of its fighters, while leveling much of Gaza.

Trump said in his tweet on Monday, "it's all talk and no action" when it comes to the hostages, and his statement suggesting he could use the power of his office to punish those who took the hostages is a sign the first to see how aggressively Trump might handle Middle East policy when he resumes office. /Telegraph/