'There will be ALL HELL TO PAY': Trump warns Hamas to release Israeli hostages in Gaza before Jan 20

Two days after Hamas released the footage of an Israeli-American hostage begging US-president Donald Trump to push for a ceasefire deal, the Republican leader has responded with a stark warning.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump said "there will be ALL HELL TO PAY" if Hamas fails to release hostages captured in Gaza before his presidential inauguration on January 20.

Slamming President Joe Biden of "all talk and no action" on the release of hostages, he said the current administration failed to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

"Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, an for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity," Trump wrote.

Asking Hamas to release the hostages, Trump said those responsible will be hit harder than anyone has been hit in "the long and storied History of the United States of America."

This comes two days after Edan Alexander, a Israeli-US citizen, held by Hamas, was seen speaking in a video released by the militant group. Edan, 20, an Israeli soldier who holds a dual US citizenship was stationed near the Gaza border on October 7 when Hamas unleashed attack on Israel. 

Reportedly speaking under duress of Hamas, Edan asked the president-elect to use his influence and the full power of the US to negotiate the release of hostages. He goes on to warn Trump to avoid the mistake made by Biden.

Hours before Trump's post, another Israeli-US citizen, Omer Neutra, was revealed to killed by Hamas though he had been thought to be alive.

Following the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, President biden said he would make efforts to achieve a similar truce in Gaza.