‘Hell to pay’: Trump sets deadline for Gaza hostages’ release

US President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stark warning vowing “hell to pay” if Hamas prisoners in Gaza are not released before he takes office on January 20, 2025. The U.S. administration labeled its efforts as “all talk, no action,” signaling a shift toward a more aggressive approach to the ongoing crisis. The hostages are not released before January 20, the date I proudly take office, all hell will pay in the Middle East, Trump wrote, urging Hamas to “release the hostages now.” The statement comes amid reports that Trump is pushing for a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas before his second term begins. Trump’s statement drew mixed reactions, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanking the president-elect for his support.. “We all pray for the moment when we see our sisters and brothers back home,” Herzog posted on X. Hamas has previously offered to release prisoners in exchange for an end to Israeli military operations in Gaza, but the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has remained committed to continuing the war until Hamas is decisively defeated. . According to Israeli officials, 101 prisoners remained in Gaza, while Hamas reportedThat 33 prisoners have died since the conflict began. Despite campaigning on a platform to achieve peace in the region, the president-elect has yet to detail specific strategies. His first term saw strong support for Israel, including moving the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Trump’s appointments to the next term signal a continuation of pro-Israeli policies.