Trump warns Hamas all hell will break out if it doesnt release hostages before he takes office
President-elect Donald Trump starkly warned Hamas to release the remaining hostages before Inauguration Day or else “all hell will break out,” without elaborating on a specific response.Hamas is currently believed to have 101 hostages, including seven Americans, at least three of whom are thought to be dead, and Trump has long threatened repercussions for the terror group if it fails to release them.
“It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone,” Trump, 78, warned during a press conference in Mar-a-Lago Tuesday.“All hell will break out.
I don’t have to say anymore, but that’s what it is.” Members of Trump’s incoming administration and the outgoing Biden team have scrambled to iron out a deal to bring home those seven Americans.Steve Witkoff, Trump’s longtime friend and pick for special envoy to the Middle East, announced during the press conference that some progress has been made to release the remaining hostages.
“I believe we’ve been on the verge of it.I don’t want to discuss sort of what’s delayed it,” Witkoff told reporters about the deliberations over the hostages.Witkoff is poised to join negotiations over a hostage deal in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday.
Trump hailed his special envoy to the Middle East pick as a “great negotiator” and repeated the vague threats against Hamas.“I don’t want to hurt the negotiation.If the deal isn’t done before I take office, which will be two weeks, all hell will break out in the Middle East,” Trump ominously reiterated.
The incoming president also recounted his discussions with families whose loved ones remain in Hamas’ captivity as well as the terror group’s savagery.Multiple attempts at reaching a deal have previously faltered.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored Monday that the administration is eager to get the deal done within the next two weeks.“What I can tell you is this: We very much want to bring this over the finish line in...