Trump Warns Hamas: Hostages Must Be Released Before Swearing-In or Face Severe Consequences

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): America's newly elected President Donald Trump has given an open warning to Hamas. He said that if Hamas does not release the hostages in Gaza before January 20, then there will be a huge uproar. On January 20, he will take oath as the 47th President of America. Trump told reporters at a press conference in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, "I do not want to harm your conversation, if the hostages are not returned by the time I take office, then everything will be ruined in the Middle East." He was answering a question on the status of talks with Hamas on the release of American hostages.

His special envoy for the Middle East, Steven Charles Witkoff, told reporters that he is serious about it. Witkoff said, "I believe we are on the verge of it. I do not want to discuss why it was delayed, there is no point in being negative in any way. But I think this is the stature of the President, what he has said, the expectations he has expressed, the talks are taking place according to that."

He said, "I don't want to say too much because I think they are doing a very good job in Doha. I am leaving tomorrow to go back to Doha. But I think we have made very good progress and I am very hopeful that we will have some good things to announce on behalf of the President."

"I really think we're working together very well, but it's the president, his reputation, the things he says that are driving this conversation forward. So hopefully it all works out and we save some lives," Witkoff said.

Responding to a question, Trump has warned Hamas to release all the hostages by January 20. He said, "It will not be good for Hamas and frankly it will not be good for anybody. Everything will be ruined. I don't need to say anything more, but that is the way it is. They should have released them a long time ago."