Hamas said on Monday that 33 hostages in Gaza had been killed during the almost 14-month-old war between the Palestinian militant group and Israel in the enclave, without giving their nationalities.

The President-elect posted on social media that there will be ‘all hell to pay’ in the region if the hostages remain captive beyond Jan. 20, 2025.

President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office there will be “HELL TO PAY.

The possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza grew closer as Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, expressed optimism on Sunday following a recent ceasefire reached between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The chance for an end to more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the release of about 100 hostages held by the militants is now “more likely” because of last week’s ceasefire reached by Israel with Hezbollah in Lebanon,

The Biden administration is concerned the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon could unravel after Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire in recent days, U.S. officials say. Why it matters: The ceasefire announced last Tuesday ended more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.