Trump Vows ‘Hell to Pay’ in Middle East If Hostages Aren’t Freed Before His Inauguration

President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Hamas, stating there will be “all hell to pay” if hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel are not freed before he takes office on January 20, 2025.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticised the lack of action to secure the release of hostages held by the Iran-backed militant group. “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.

Trump emphasised the gravity of the situation, warning that “if the hostages are not released before 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.”

The October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel left over 1,200 people dead and resulted in at least 250 hostages being taken, including seven Americans. More than a year later, the crisis remains unresolved, Fox Reports.

Edan Alexander, born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey, is currently being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. (Hostage Family Forum)

On Saturday, Hamas released a video featuring 20-year-old Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who was abducted during the October 7 attack. In the video, Alexander, visibly distressed, pleaded for his release and delivered forced messages to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump. Alexander has been in captivity for over 420 days.

Netanyahu reportedly spoke with Alexander’s family, reaffirming his commitment to bringing all hostages home. “We will take every action to bring them back,” his office stated on Monday.

Trump also vowed that those responsible for the kidnappings “will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America.”

While Israel continues military operations in Gaza, efforts to reach a permanent cease-fire with Hamas remain unsuccessful. However, a cease-fire deal between Israel and Lebanon was brokered in November 2024 following a series of attacks by Hezbollah targeting Israel’s northern region. Despite the agreement, Israel reported that Hezbollah violated the cease-fire on Monday by launching two projectiles, which caused no harm.

The situation underscores ongoing tensions in the region and the international focus on securing the release of hostages held in Gaza.