'All hell to pay!' Trump issues direct threat to Hamas over Israeli hostages

Donald Trump warned there would be "all hell to pay" in the Middle East once he's inaugurated.

The president-elect has called for a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza before Jan. 20, when he will be sworn in for a second term in the White House. President Joe Biden has also made getting a deal done a priority during his last two months in office.

"Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East - But it’s all talk, and no action!" Trump posted Monday afternoon on Truth Social.

"Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity."

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"Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America," Trump added. "RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!"

There are 101 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, including seven U.S. citizens. Israeli intelligence services believe about half of them are still alive.

More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in nearly 14 months of warfare, according to Gaza's health ministry.