‘All Hell to Pay’: President-elect Trump Issues Strident Demand to Release Hostages in Gaza

Latest Developments

• A Change in Rhetoric: President-elect Donald Trump issued a forthright statement on December 2, warning that “there will be all hell to pay” if the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are still in captivity when he assumes office on January 20, 2025. While Trump avoided specific mention of Hamas and Iran, the thrust of his message — warmly welcomed by a slew of Israeli politicians — appeared aimed at the terrorist group.

• Statement Follows Hamas’s Release of Propaganda Video: Trump’s message came after news that American lone soldier Capt. Omer Neutra was killed in Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. It also followed Hamas’s release of a propaganda video on November 30 showing New Jersey native Edan Alexander pleading with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a deal with Hamas to save the hostages’ lives. Hamas still holds seven American hostages, three of whom are believed to still be alive. 

• Israeli and Hamas Leaders Respond to Statement: Israeli President Isaac Herzog responded to Trump’s comments, remarking, “Thank you and bless you Mr. President-elect … We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home!” Leading opposition member and former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz replied, “Straight and to the point, President-elect Trump. Bring them home now.” Hamas spokesman Basem Naim took the opposite view, saying, “We understand [Trump’s] message is directed first at Netanyahu and his government to end this evil game.”

FDD Expert Response

“President-elect Trump’s plain speaking is welcome here, sending a message to Hamas and its Iranian sponsors that hostage-taking — one of the acts that sparked this current war — will not be tolerated by the United States under any circumstances. It may also compel the release of the hostages before he takes office for fear of what might happen after he is in power.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“Many are asking what more Trump can do to put pressure on Hamas and its sponsors. The answer is a lot: from hunting down remaining Hamas operatives in and out of Gaza to dismantling Hamas financial networks at home and abroad to maximizing pressure on all Hamas sponsors and enablers — Iran, Qatar, Turkey, Lebanon, and Egypt — to defunding and degrading Hamas allies inside the UN system. All of that while maximizing support to Israel, including flooding Israel with munitions the Biden administration held up.” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor

FDD Background and Analysis

“The legacy of President Trump 2.0,” by Clifford D. May

“Joey, we hardly knew ye,” by Clifford D. May

“10 Things Washington Should Do to Hold Hamas Accountable,” by Richard Goldberg