President Donald Trump has come out swinging over the fact that Hamas still holds not only Israeli hostages, but American hostages as well.
President Trump said the following on Truth Social:
“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!”
“Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that 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. 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!” Trump added.
This post certainly raises the pressure on Hamas to cut any deal. After all, Trump is unpredictable and anything is possible if Hamas does not hand over the hostages. Trump can decide to punish the Qataris, Iran, or Turkey who now hosts Hamas. If that doesn’t work, Trump may let Israel finish pushing all of the remaining Gazans south of Netzarim and then hand Israel the Land.
While Hamas might be worried that some sort of cataclysmic action is coming on January 20th if they do not hand over the hostages, there is no guarantee that Hamas even cares what happens. Remember, Hamas engaged in a violent pogrom in order to create mass destruction to their own people in an attempt to break down Israel from within. Hamas thrives on keeping the Gazans perpetual victims and might elect to continue doing so now.
The only way to truly force a deal is take land from them. This is the only thin Arab society views as a real loss. With just under 50 days to go – Hamas may not be ready to let go of the only currency they have left – the hostages and then President Trump will have to put real force behind his words.