Donald Trump Gives Hamas an Ultimatum for Hostage Releases
before his inauguration in two weeks, "all hell will break out."
"If they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East, and it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone," Trump said during a Tuesday press conference.
"I don't have to say anymore, but that's what it is," the president-elect said while appearing alongside Steve Witkoff, his special envoy to the Middle East.
Why This Matters
Trump's ultimatum would give Hamas 13 days to release the hostages that were taken over a year ago when the group launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Trump's inauguration will be held on January 20.
What To Know
Witkoff said he recently returned from hostage release discussions in Doha, Qatar, and that the deal involved efforts to release about 100 hostages that have been held in Gaza.
"I believe we've been on the verge of it. I don't want to discuss sort of what's delayed it," Witkoff said Tuesday.
Witkoff, a Florida real estate investor and close friend of the president-elect, was appointed as the incoming administration's Middle East envoy last month. Trump officials have acknowledged that they are coordinating with the Biden administration on the crisis in the region.
It was reported earlier this week that Hamas approved the potential release of 34 hostages in support of a ceasefire deal with Israel, including 10 women, as well as young children. It's not clear how many people on the list are still alive after being held in Gaza for over a year, but Israeli officials believe about two-thirds of the roughly 100 hostages are still alive.
Trump first made comments about there being "hell to pay" in a Truth Social post on December 2, after the IDF said that Hamas had killed American-Israeli Omer Neutra on October 7 and has held his body hostage since.
What People Are Saying
"I'm really hopeful that by the inaugural we'll have some good things to announce on behalf of the president."
"We very much want to bring this over the finish line in the next two weeks, the time we have remaining."
"The list of hostages that has been published in the media was not provided to Israel by Hamas but was originally given by Israel to the mediators in July 2024. As yet, Israel has not received any confirmation or comment by Hamas regarding the status of the hostages appearing on the list. Israel will continue to act relentlessly for the return of all of our hostages."
"I am Israel's best friend. I moved the embassy to Jerusalem—everything was good, including the Abraham Accords, and every major positive event in Israel recently was because of me. I must also note that I support peace—now is the time."
What's Next
Witkoff said Tuesday that he was planning to head back to Doha to continue negotiations on Wednesday or Thursday.
Update 1/7/25, 1:33 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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