‘All hell will break out…’: US President-elect Donald Trump warns Hamas, sets Jan 20 as deadline for hostage release

US President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Palestinian fighter group Hamas saying “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if it does not release the hostages in Gaza before his inauguration on Jan 20.

Trump, while addressing a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Jan 7, said "It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone. All hell will break out. I don't have to say anymore, but that's what it is.”

He also asserted that "there should have never been" the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel.

A special envoy to the Middle East appointed by Trump expressed a positive view on the ongoing negotiations to secure a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, reported CNN.

"It's the president, his reputation, the things that he has said that are driving this negotiation, and so hopefully it'll all work out and we'll save some lives," Steve Witkoff said.

However, a Biden administration official while speaking to the CNN on condition of anonymity said that despite Witkoff saying a ceasefire deal would be secured by Jan 20, the talks still seem challenging.

Trump is set to assume the presidency for a second term on Jan 20 following his victory in the 2024 election, marking a historic return to office after his first term from 2017 to 2021.