President-elect Trump reiterated that “everything will be destroyed” if the hostages still in Gaza are not freed by the time he enters office in two weeks on January 20.
Trump was asked about threats he made in early December against the Hamas terrorist organization, which is holding about 96 hostages, only 50 of whom are believed to be still alive, including three Americans. Are included.
“All hell will break loose,” Trump said, speaking with Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who has begun participating in ceasefire talks with the Biden administration and the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, Israel and Hamas.
(Seven American hostages are being held in Gaza. From left, Aidan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Keith Siegel, Omar Neutra, Judy Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai and Itay Chen, three of whom are believed to still be alive.)
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He said in reference to Witkoff, “If those hostages don’t come back – I don’t want to spoil your conversation – if they don’t come back by the time I get into office, there will be all hell in the Middle East.” ,
Trump again declined to elaborate on what this would mean for Hamas, and the Trump transition team did not elaborate for Fox News Digital on what actions the president-elect might take.
In response to a reporter who pressed him about his meaning, Trump said, “Do I have to define it for you?”
He said, “I don’t need to say anything else, but this is it.”
President-elect Trump speaks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on January 7, 2025. (Reuters/Carlos Barria)
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office denied reports that Hamas had sent a list of hostages to be released in the event of a deal.
Witkoff said he was heading to the Middle East on Tuesday night or Wednesday to continue ceasefire talks.
In the weeks before the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays, there was a new sense of optimism that a ceasefire might finally be reached, as numerous negotiations over the previous 14 months had failed not only to bring hostages home, but also to end the deaths of hostages in captivity. Increasing numbers were seen. However, once again, no deal was put forward before the New Year.
Nearly 460 days after hostages were first taken into Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attacks, Witkoff was hopeful that a deal could be secured in the near future.
Steve Witkoff speaks during a campaign event for former President Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York on October 27, 2024. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Witkoff told reporters, “I think we’ve really made some big progress. And I’m really hopeful that by the inauguration, we’ll have some good things to announce from the president.” “I really believe we’re working together really well. But it’s the president — his reputation, the things he’s said that are driving this conversation and so, hopefully, it will all work out and We’ll save some people’s lives.”
About 50 people are believed to be alive and in Hamas captivity, in addition, at least 38 people are believed to have been taken hostage by the terrorist group and then killed in captivity, as well as at least At least seven people were taken hostage. Killed on October 7, 2023 and then taken to Gaza.
