Trump again warns Hamas to release hostages soon, or 'It's not going to be pleasant'

WASHINGTON -President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday he had a "very good talk" with Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, about the war in Gaza and reiterated his threat that "all hell is going to break out" if Hamas does not release its hostages by Jan. 20, the day Trump takes office.

"As you know, I gave a warning that if these hostages aren't back home by that date, all hell is going to break out," he said during a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida.

Later, Trump added that if no ceasefire deal is reached by the time he takes office, "It's not going to be pleasant."

Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and abducted more than 250, including Israeli-American dual nationals, during their Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, according to Israeli tallies.

More than 100 hostages have been freed through negotiations or Israeli military rescue operations. Of the 100 still held in Gaza, roughly half are believed to be alive.

President Joe Biden recently dispatched more senior aides to the region to try and secure a long-sought ceasefire deal.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason in Palm Beach, Florida, Editing by Ross Colvin, Franklin Paul and Nick Zieminski)