President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas, declaring there will be “all hell to pay” if hostages held by the Iran-backed terror group are not released before he takes office on January 20, 2025.

JUST IN: US President-elect Trump issues warning to Hamas.

“If Gaza hostages are not released prior to the January 20 inauguration, there will be all hell to pay in the Middle East.” pic.twitter.com/l0vWxjoyLb

— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) December 2, 2024

Celebrate Trump's Historic 2024 Victory with the Exclusive Trump 47th President Collection!

Trump made the statement in a Truth Social post on Sunday, expressing frustration with the lack of action to free the captives.

“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!” Trump wrote.

“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.”

Now THIS is how you get American hostages released

If Hamas terrorists don’t free these innocent people, Trump promises there will be “HELL TO PAY” and he will hit them harder than anyone has been hit in the history of the United States

America is BACK https://t.co/33AeAiH1KQ

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) December 2, 2024

Hamas has been holding at least 250 individuals captive since its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people.

Among the hostages, at least seven are confirmed to be Americans. More than a year after the initial attacks, efforts to secure their release have yet to yield significant progress.

On Saturday, Hamas released video footage of Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old Israeli-American hostage.

The footage showed Alexander crying and pleading for his release, stating that he has been imprisoned for over 420 days.

He also delivered messages directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President-elect Trump.

Netanyahu reportedly spoke with Alexander’s family and reaffirmed his commitment to taking “every action to bring them back home,” according to his office on Monday.

Israel has maintained its military operations in Gaza amid the hostage crisis, and a permanent cease-fire agreement with Hamas remains out of reach.

However, a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was reached in November following a series of northern border attacks by the Lebanon-based militant group.

Despite the agreement, tensions remain high. On Monday, Israeli officials reported that Hezbollah violated the cease-fire by launching two projectiles into Israel, though no injuries were reported.

“We are determined to continue to enforce the cease-fire, and to respond to any violation by Hezbollah – minor or serious,” Netanyahu said in response.

Trump’s post further emphasized his commitment to a forceful response if the hostages are not released by the time he assumes the presidency. “Those responsible for taking the hostages will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America,” he added.

The president-elect’s comments mark a strong stance as the hostage situation continues to be a focal point of international attention.

With escalating tensions in the region and a lack of resolution in sight, all eyes remain on the incoming administration and its promised approach to the crisis.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.