As negotiations over the Hamas hostage deal near completion, President-elect Donald Trump stated Monday on Newsmax that failing to secure the release of the hostages could result in “a lot of trouble.”
Speaking on Rob Schmitt Tonight, Trump remarked that the deal to free hostages held in dire conditions was nearing finalization.
“We’re very close to getting it done, and they have to get it done. If they don’t get it done, there’s going to be a lot of trouble out there—like they’ve never seen before. And they will get it done. I understand there’s been a handshake to finalize it, maybe by the end of the week, but it has to take place,” Trump said.
The hostages have endured more than 600 days in captivity.
“It’s a horrible thing. A lot of people have died, and part of the deal is we’re going to bring bodies out,” Trump said. “They lived in tunnels that were three feet high in some cases, or less, with closed ends. Can you imagine that? And they’ve been like this for so long. This would have never happened if I was president. Never would have happened,” he added.
Trump, who takes office next week, also commented on U.S. foreign policy, suggesting that financial support to Iran has empowered them, with implications for global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.
“Iran didn’t have the money to give them. Iran was essentially broke. Now they have a lot of money, although they’ve been hurt over the last few months, certainly,” Trump stated.
According to Reuters, mediators have presented a final draft of a deal to Israel and Hamas aimed at ending the Gaza war. The breakthrough followed late-night discussions attended by representatives of both Trump and outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden.
