United States President-elect, Donald Trump, has issued a stern warning to Hamas over its failure to release hostages held in Gaza.
Trump cautioned that all hell will break out in the Middle East if the hostages are not freed by the time he takes office on January 20.
Among the estimated 100 captives taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks are several American citizens who remain in captivity in Gaza.
Speaking at a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump declared, “All hell will break out. If those hostages aren’t back, I don’t want to hurt your negotiation. If they’re not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East.”
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As Trump prepares to assume office as the 47th President of the United States, his Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steven Charles Witkoff, highlighted ongoing efforts to resolve the hostage crisis.
Addressing reporters, Witkoff said, “I believe we’ve been on the verge of it. I don’t want to discuss sort of what’s delayed it, no point in being negative in any way.
“But I think it’s the president, his stature, what he’s said he expects, the red lines he’s put out there, that’s driving this negotiation. I actually believe that we’re working in tandem in a really good way, but it’s the president, his reputation, the things that he has said that are driving this negotiation. So hopefully it’ll all work out and we’ll save some lives.”
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