Trump called for the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip before his inauguration

Those involved in the hostage-taking in the Gaza Strip must release them before Donald Trump's inauguration, otherwise the US president-elect will make them pay for their actions. The politician wrote about this on his page in the social network TruthSocial.

"If the hostages are not released before January 20, 2025, the day I will proudly assume the office of President of the United States, the Middle East will pay a hell of a price," his message reads.

He also pointed out that all those demanding the release of the hostages are not taking any concrete action to do so.

Earlier, on November 19, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was ready to pay the Palestinians $5 million for each hostage who would be released from the hands of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas. He also threatened liability for anyone who harms Israeli hostages.

On November 15, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recalled that more than 100 people now remain in captivity of the Palestinian movement, among them Russians Alexander Trufanov and Maxim Kharkin. Zakharova emphasized that the capture and long detention of people who are not guilty of anything can not be justified in any way.

On October 13, the Palestinian radical group Islamic Jihad published a video message by Trufanov, where he said that the hostages were in danger and difficult situation on a daily basis and called for their release. The man shared that the captives lack food and water, have no electricity and have run out of personal hygiene products.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, when Hamas launched a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel, as well as invaded border areas in the south and took hostages. That same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes against targets in Gaza.