Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US President-elect Donald Trump reiterates his warning to Hamas to release the hostages it is holding in Gaza, in a radio interview with conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt.
Asked what he meant when he said previously that there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages aren’t released before he takes office on January 20, Trump says: “Exactly what it says — if those hostages aren’t released by the time I get office there will be hell to pay.”
“I don’t think I have to get into it… But it won’t be the word ‘don’t,’ you know,” he adds, referring to a warning made by US President Joe Biden on October 10, 2023, in a speech pledging support for Israel in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 atrocities.
“There will be hell to pay,” he repeats, “Those hostages have to get out, they have to get out now.”
Earlier in the interview Trump says, “I’m with Israel. I think that’s pretty obvious to everybody… I do have to add, I’m also for peace. It’s time. This fight’s been going on for a long time, longer than people would understand.”
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, January 6, 2025
