America. Newly elected President Donald Trump said on Monday that if the hostages held in the Gaza Strip are not released before his swearing-in on January 20, there will be ‘devastation’ in the Middle East. According to Israeli figures, during the attack on Israel last year, Hamas terrorists took more than 250 people hostage, including Israeli-American citizens. Even now, about half of the 101 foreign and Israeli hostages in Gaza are estimated to be alive.
Trump said in his statement, ‘If the hostages are not released by January 20, 2025, there will be devastation in the Middle East. Strict action will be taken against those who are committing this atrocity against humanity. ‘ He said, ‘Those who have done this will be given the biggest punishment in the history of America. ‘ Trump said that if action is not taken at the right time, America will give such a punishment which no one has received till date.
At the same time, Hamas has demanded an end to the war and a complete withdrawal of Israel from Gaza in exchange for the release of the hostages. Whereas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the war will continue until Hamas is completely eliminated. Let us tell you that in Israel too, voices of protest have been raised against Netanyahu for releasing the hostages. Meanwhile, on Monday, Hamas said that 33 hostages have died in Gaza, although they did not disclose their nationality. Let us tell you that Israel started the war on 7 October 2023 after Hamas-led terrorists attacked Israeli communities, in which 1,200 people died. More than 44,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military action so far and most of the population of Gaza has been displaced. According to Gaza officials, a vast area of Gaza has been completely devastated.
