Trump promises 'hell to pay' if Gaza captives not promptly released
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US President-elect Donald Trump warns that if captives in the Gaza Strip are not released there will be "hell to pay" in the Middle East.
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President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, on November 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP)
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.
Around half of the 101 foreign and Israeli captives still being held in Gaza are believed to be alive. 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 disappearing. 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.
⭕حركة #حماس تنشر فيديو بعنوان: 33 أسيرا صهيونياً قُتلوا وفقدت آثار بعضهم، بسبب المجرم نتنياهو وجيشه الفاشي.
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) December 2, 2024
باستمرار حربكم المجنونة قد تفقدون أسراكم إلى الأبد
🚨افعلوا ما يجب عليكم فعله قبل فوات الأوان🚨#طوفان_الأقصى #غزة pic.twitter.com/i5eABRO0kC
