US President-elect Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that “everything will collapse” if Hamas does not release hostages before January 20, when he will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.
“There will be complete devastation. If those hostages are not returned, I do not want to spoil your conversation, if they are not returned by the time I get to my office, there will be complete devastation in the Middle East.” Trump told this to reporters at a press conference in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.
He was responding to a question on the status of talks with Hamas on the release of American hostages. His special envoy to the Middle East, Steven Charles Witkoff, who has just returned from the region, told reporters that they were on the brink of it.
“I believe we’re on the verge of it. I don’t want to discuss why it was delayed, there’s no point in being negative in any way. But I think this president, his stature “What they’ve said is hopefully what’s driving this conversation,” Witkoff said.
Noting that they were making a lot of progress, he said: “I don’t want to say too much because I think they’re doing a really good job in Doha. I’m leaving tomorrow to go back to Doha. But “I think we’ve made some really big progress and I’m really hopeful that by the time we’re inaugurated we’ll have some good things to announce from the president.” “I really believe we’re working together really well, but this president, his reputation, the things he’s said are driving this conversation. So hopefully it all works out and we save Will take some life,” Witkoff said.
In response to a question, Trump warned Hamas to release all the hostages by January 20.
“It wouldn’t be good for Hamas and it obviously wouldn’t be good for anyone. Everything would be devastated. I don’t need to say it anymore, but that’s what it is. They should have turned them back a long time ago “They should never have taken them. The October 7 attack should never have happened, but people forgot that and many people died.”
“They are no longer hostages. I have people calling from Israel and others, begging to meet me – as you know, we also had people from the United States. They The so-called hostages are being held, but mothers and fathers have come to me crying, can I get their son’s body back? Can I get their daughter’s body back?” He said.
“That beautiful girl where they threw her in the car, pulled her by the top of her head and threw her in the car like she was a sack of potatoes. I said, what happened to her? Sir, she’s dead. 19, Like a 20-year-old, beautiful girl,” he said, praising his special envoy for the progress he has made so far.
Trump said, “I say this, I don’t want to harm the negotiations. If a deal is not made before I take office, which is going to be two weeks, there will be all hell in the Middle East.”
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