Trump Warns Hamas ‘There Will Be All Hell to Pay’ Over Gaza Hostages

President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas on Monday, demanding the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared that if the hostages are not freed by his inauguration on January 20, 2025, those responsible would face unprecedented consequences.

“Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to 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,” Trump wrote. He pledged that those responsible “will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America.”

Trump’s statement comes in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, during which US-born IDF soldier Captain Omer Maxim Neutra was killed and his body taken to Gaza. In addition, a propaganda video released Saturday showed American hostage Eden Alexander in captivity, further intensifying calls for action.

On Sunday, Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago Golf Club in Florida. During their dinner, Sara Netanyahu highlighted the plight of the hostages and the importance of combating what she described as the “axis of evil.”

Trump’s promise to hold Hamas accountable underscores the importance of hostages in ongoing global efforts to stabilize the region. His statement amplifies the urgency for their release as a key condition for Middle East security and marks a central focus for his upcoming presidency.

As the hostage crisis continues, Trump’s declaration signals a hardline approach toward Hamas and its backers. Share this story or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on this evolving situation.