“It’s not going to be pleasant,” Trump warns Hamas to release Israeli hostages by Jan 20

US President-elect Donald Trump once again warned Hamas of serious consequences if it does not release Israeli hostages by January 20, the day he is set to take office. 

Signaling the direction of his foreign policy amid ongoing conflicts in the region, Trump declared the release of hostages his top priority upon his return to the White House.

Donald Trump said on Monday that he had a “very good talk” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the Israel's war on  Gaza. 

He reiterated his earlier threat, warning, “all hell is going to break out” if Hamas does not release the Israeli hostages by January 20.

He warned that if no ceasefire deal is secured before he takes over, “it’s not going to be pleasant.”   

According to reports, Trump is attempting to pave the way for a ceasefire, which has been hindered by a prolonged deadlock, before he formally takes charge.

Apart from this, Israeli Premier Netanyahu said he had a discussion with Trump about his plan in Syria and also the strategy to secure hostages in Gaza.

“We had a very friendly, warm and important discussion. We discussed the need to complete Israel’s victory, and we spoke at length about the efforts we are making to free our hostages,” the Guardian quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Moreover, he said that with the collaboration of the US, Israel “will continue to act relentlessly to return home all of our hostages.” 

However, outgoing president Joe Biden recently dispatched senior aides to the region to maintain peace and truce for a ceasefire.