The US president-elect vows a response if captives in Gaza are not released by the time he returns to the White House.
www.bbc.com
US President-elect Donald Trump has issued an apparent warning to Hamas, threatening "all hell to pay" if hostages held by the Palestinian group in Gaza are not released by the time he returns to the White House on 20 January.
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Without mentioning Hamas by name, Trump posted online the same day: "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America."
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He has positioned himself as a staunch supporter of Israel during its campaign in Gaza, but has urged the American ally to end its military operation.
Israel launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the group's unprecedented attack on southern Israel in 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
More than 44,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Tens of thousands of others have been injured and much of the Palestinian enclave is in ruins.
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“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!" he wrote.
He went on to say: "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."
His post continued: "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!"
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During the recent election campaign, Trump presented himself as the anti-war candidate, suggesting for example that he could end the conflict in Ukraine "in a day".
A ceasefire in a linked conflict in Lebanon - between Israel and Hezbollah, a group allied to Hamas - came into effect last week, but has been
threatened by fire from both sides.
After the Lebanon ceasefire was agreed, the US said it would make another push with regional powers for a ceasefire in Gaza, involving the release of hostages and the removal of Hamas from power.
Updating reporters on Monday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters: "The main stumbling block continues to be Hamas."