Trump issues stern warning to Hamas: 'ALL HELL TO PAY' if hostages not released before his inauguration

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump warned on Monday that there will be “ALL HELL TO PAY” if the hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza are not released by the time he enters the Oval Office on Jan. 20.

Trump posted on Truth Social two days after Hamas released a propaganda video featuring U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander urging the president-elect to secure his release.

“Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East – But it’s all talk, and no action!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social social media platform.

“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, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity,” he stated.

“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!” he added.

Trump began issuing warnings to the Hamas terrorist organization in July, during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“I tell you this, we want our hostages back,” he said, “And they better be back before I assume office, or you will be paying a very big price.”

The renewed threat comes after ongoing failed attempts by the Biden administration to secure a deal that would end the war in Gaza and free the 97 remaining hostages who were taken captive on Oct. 7, 2023, during the worst attack on the Jewish people in one day since the Holocaust.

After the Biden administration brokered a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon last week, there have been renewed diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas before U.S. President Joe Biden leaves office.

However, the Biden administration stated that Hamas has yet to indicate a willingness to enter into any negotiations and seems unconcerned with their own lives or the lives of the hostages.

The families of the hostages met with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan last month, urging the Biden administration and Trump’s transition team to work together to secure a hostage deal before Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, 2025.

Trump’s warning follows the confirmation on Monday that U.S.-Israeli Omer Neutra, who was believed to be alive and held hostage in Gaza, had already been murdered during Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 attack.

The terror group continues to hold 97 of the 251 hostages taken captive on Oct. 7, with Israeli officials estimating that 33 of them have been killed.