Bassem Naeem, a senior member of Hamas' Political Bureau, issued a statement in response to US President-elect Donald Trump's recent threats concerning the release of Israeli captives.

Naeem criticized Trump's remarks, which promised "hell to pay" if Gaza captives were not promptly released by January 20, urging that such messages be directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

In his response, Naeem argued that "Hamas understands that Trump's message is, in fact, directed primarily at Netanyahu and his government."

He criticized the Israeli leadership for using negotiations as a cover for its own political and ideological interests.

"Netanyahu's government must put an end to this deceptive charade," he stated.

The top Palestinian official also underscored Hamas' long-standing commitment to a permanent ceasefire to end the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

He highlighted that Hamas had actively pursued a deal that would include a full prisoner exchange to resolve the issue.

"From the start of this genocide, Hamas has openly sought peace and an agreement, but Netanyahu's decisions have repeatedly derailed these efforts," Naeem explained.

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The Hamas leader reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the immediate implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735 and the agreement reached on July 2, 2024, which outlines a potential framework for ending the war and facilitating the return of captives.

Naeem expressed hope that the war would soon end, allowing Palestinians to return to their homes across Gaza, while also pushing for the release of prisoners on both sides to be reunited with their families.

Trump promises 'hell to pay' if Gaza captives not promptly released 

US President-elect Donald Trump warned on Monday that there would be "hell to pay" in the Middle East if captives held in the Gaza Strip were not freed before his inauguration on January 20.

After the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7 last year, Resistance fighters captured more than 250 Israeli captives, according to Israeli tallies. 

Most of the captives in Gaza are still alive, the rest having been killed by Israeli strikes on the Strip or in Israeli friendly-fire incidents. In his most direct remarks on the captives since his November election, Trump posted on social media, "[If] the hostages are not released before 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."

Trump added, "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America."

Hamas has demanded an end to the war and the complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as part of any agreement to release the remaining captives. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that the war will continue until Hamas is completely eradicated.

On Monday, Hamas announced that 33 Israeli captives held by the Palestinian Resistance have been killed, with some reportedly unaccounted because of loss of communication. Hamas attributed the deaths to the actions of Netanyahu and what it described as his "fascist army."

Hamas issued a warning to "Israel", stating, "By continuing your reckless war, you may lose your prisoners forever," and added, "Do what you must before it’s too late."

The movement included a video clip with its message, detailing the Israeli attacks that led to the killing and disappearance of Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip.