Trump spoke with Netanyahu, again warned Hamas to release hostages

(Patria) - Newly elected US President Donald Trump said yesterday that he had a "very good conversation" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the war in Gaza.

He reiterated the threat that "hell will break loose" if Hamas does not release the hostages by January 20, the day Trump will take office.

- As you know, I warned that if these hostages do not return home by that date, hell will break loose - Trump told a press conference at his resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and abducted more than 250, including Israeli-American citizens, during attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli data.

More than 100 hostages have been released thanks to negotiations or rescue operations by the Israeli army. 100 of them are still held captive in Gaza, and it is believed that about half are alive.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden recently sent several aides to the region to try to secure a ceasefire agreement.

Trump said yesterday that he would also speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about ending the war in Ukraine.

- It has to stop - said Trump, who did not directly answer the question of whether Ukraine should cede territory to Russia as part of a deal to end the nearly three-year war.

The new US President said that a large part of the disputed territory has been turned into ruins and that it will take a century to rebuild.

- I mean, there are cities where there are no more buildings, they are ruins - stated Trump.

He also added that he had seen photos of battlefields strewn with bodies, which reminded him of some eerie photos from the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865.

He also emphasized that he would like to end the war quickly, but again withheld details of his plan.