US President-elect Donald Trump wrote on social media that those responsible for taking hostages in the Middle East would pay a “hellish price” if they did not release the prisoners before he took office. Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer came to the US for hostage talks.
“Everyone is talking about hostages being held so brutally, inhumanely and against the will of the entire world in the Middle East – but it's just talk and no action! Please let this post serve to show that if the hostages are not released before January 20, 2025 On the date I proudly assume the office of President of the United States, those who committed these atrocities against humanity WILL PAY FOR IT. HELL PRICE in the Middle East (original spelling – ed.),” Trump wrote on the Truth Social social networking site. He threatened that Hamas and the groups holding hostages would be “hit harder than anyone in the long and rich history of the United States of America.”
Talks about the release of hostages
A top adviser to the Israeli prime minister arrived in Washington on Monday for talks on the war in the Gaza Strip and the hostage release agreement. Benjamin NetanyahuMinister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. He will meet with the Secretary of State USA Antony Blinken, and also plans to meet with the team's representatives Donald Trump. According to Axios, in November Dermer met with Trump himself, and on Sunday Trump hosted the prime minister's wife Israel Sarah Netanyahu. According to the Israel Hayom daily, Dermer allegedly told Trump that 61 hostages were still being held by Hamas.
Before the minister's visit last week, the president Joe Biden announced another diplomatic initiative to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and release the hostages. According to the State Department's announcement, Blinken is to express his view that there is a need for a truce as soon as possible, the release of the hostages and a long-term plan for the future of the Gaza Strip and Israel's integration with its neighbors, including Saudi Arabia.
Hamas attack on Israel PAP/Reuters – Maciej Zieliński
Main photo source: GettyImages