Incoming President of the United States Donald Trump threatens Hamas this evening (Monday): "If the hostages are not released by the day I take office – the consequences will be unprecedented."
This evening, Trump wrote on his Twitter account: "Everyone is talking about the hostages being held in such a violent, inhumane manner, against the will of the entire world, in the Middle East – but it's all talk, with no action!"
"I want to clarify," Trump added. "If the hostages are not released by the day I take office, 1/20/25, the consequences will be unprecedented in the Middle East, and those responsible for the kidnapping will be struck harder than anyone else in the history of the United States."
"Release the hostages now!" Trump concluded.
Last Saturday, Senator Lindsey Graham said in an interview with Axios that the elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, is interested in reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the return of the hostages before his inauguration as president and taking office on January 20.
"I want people in Israel and the region to know that Trump is focused on the issue of the hostages." "He wants the killing to stop and the fighting to end," Graham said. "Trump is more determined than ever to free the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal." He wants to see it happen now."
According to Graham, Trump claimed that he needs an agreement in Gaza before he can focus on the other goals of his foreign policy in the Middle East, including normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia and the establishment of a regional alliance against Iran. "I hope that President Trump and the Biden administration will work together during the transition period to free the hostages and achieve a ceasefire," he noted.