U.S President-elect Donald Trump threatened Hamas with decisive action if the group, considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU, does not release the hostages it took during its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, before he takes office.
Trump specified that if "the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the day 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."
"Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW," Trump added in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The threat comes hours after the Israeli military said that an Israeli American soldier thought to have been captured alive by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack was actually killed and his body taken to the Gaza Strip.
Omer Neura was 21-years-old at the time. He was a tank platoon commander. "Omer's life story and dedication represent the best and strongest we have built as a nation," said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on X after the news were announced. He was posthumously promoted to captain.
Some 250 people were taken hostage during the attack. About 100 remain in the Gaza strip, with a third of them presumed to be dead by Israeli authorities. Another Israeli American taken to Gaza, Edan Alexander, is thought to be alive after Hamas published a propaganda video of him during the weekend.
Alexander's mother, Yael, said watching the video was a "huge relief" for her. However, the video was captioned "time is running out" by Hamas' Al-Qassam brigades. He appeared to be under duress and called Trump to use his power to negotiate a deal. Hamas authorities said last week they were ready to negotiate a truce after Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a separate ceasefire.
The U.S. said last week it would revive efforts to negotiate a ceasefire along with Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. However, there are still large gaps between the factions' demands: Hamas wants to end the war, while Israel will only agree to it if Hamas is eradicated.
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