Mike Waltz, national security adviser to Donald Trump, has warned Hamas and armed groups that they will face severe consequences if they continue to hold American hostages.
Representative Mike Waltz, selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as National Security Adviser in the new administration, on December 22 called on Hamas to release hostages currently held in Gaza before Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025.
“This is completely unacceptable. They will pay a price higher than ever before,” Waltz stated, referring to Hamas holding four hostages with dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship.
He highlighted that Hamas has held hostages longer than the 1979 crisis, when Iranian protesters overthrew the Shah, seized the U.S. Embassy, and detained 54 American citizens for 444 days. “When anyone kidnaps U.S. citizens, they will face hellish consequences. It’s not just economic fallout; they might end up taking a bullet. We will ensure these groups understand the repercussions, so others will hesitate before attempting to kidnap Americans. They’ll be saying, ‘Don’t even think about it under Donald Trump,’” Waltz declared.
The congressman emphasized that the U.S. cannot compromise with adversaries in hostage situations, arguing that concessions only encourage further challenges to American power. “We must impose costs on those who take American citizens hostage, ensuring they gain nothing. Only then will they abandon such intentions,” he explained.
Trump’s adviser also expressed support for Israel’s operations in Gaza and Lebanon. “Hamas has no way out now. Their only path to survival is to release the hostages,” Waltz added.
In another interview with Fox News, the Florida congressman reiterated President-elect Trump’s stance: “The entire Middle East, especially Hamas, will face hellish consequences if any American citizens are harmed.”
Hamas took 251 hostages to Gaza following its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The group released 109 individuals in two rounds of negotiations and ceasefire agreements in November 2023.
The Israeli military has rescued eight hostages and discovered the bodies of 37, including three victims mistakenly killed by Israeli soldiers. Israeli authorities estimate that 97 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 34 presumed dead.
(Sources: Times of Israel, RCP)
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