Jerusalem: Israeli leaders on Tuesday welcomed a stern ultimatum from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who vowed there would be "hell to pay" in the Middle East unless hostages held in Gaza were released before his January 20 inauguration.

Trump, posting on Truth Social, did not mention any specific group but demanded the hostages' release, warning: “Failure to comply will result in consequences more severe than anything witnessed in the history of the United States.” His remarks referred to hostages taken during the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023, during which over 250 individuals were captured. While some have since been released or rescued, roughly half remain in Gaza, with reports suggesting at least a third of them may have died.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several of his ministers praised Trump’s assertive stance. Netanyahu, speaking at a cabinet meeting, said, “President Trump’s focus is exactly where it should be: on Hamas, not on Israel.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added that Trump’s message clarified the moral divide in the conflict. “This is how we bring the hostages back—by applying relentless pressure on Hamas and defeating them outright, rather than capitulating to their outrageous demands.”

Families of the hostages also expressed appreciation for Trump’s intervention, with a joint forum stating, “The urgency is now clearer than ever. We must bring our loved ones home without delay.”

In Gaza, the reception to Trump’s comments was far from welcoming. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim accused Netanyahu’s government of undermining prior efforts to negotiate a prisoner exchange. “Trump’s statement appears aimed as much at Netanyahu as at Hamas, urging him to stop sabotaging deals,” Naim said.

Local analyst Ramiz Moghani viewed Trump’s warning as targeting both Hamas and its ally Iran. He cautioned that such rhetoric could embolden Israel to not only tighten its grip on Gaza but also annex parts of the occupied West Bank. “Trump’s words could escalate an already volatile situation,” Moghani remarked.

For ordinary Gazans like Mohammed Dahlan, displaced by the ongoing conflict, Trump’s statement brought little hope. “We expected the new U.S. administration to offer solutions, but instead, it aligns completely with Israel, promising even harsher measures,” Dahlan lamented.

Israel and Hamas have engaged in intermittent talks since October 2023. While initial progress was made with a hostage release in November, further discussions have stalled, with both sides accusing the other of obstructing progress.

Trump’s forceful rhetoric has now added a new dimension to the already fraught negotiations, leaving the fate of the remaining hostages uncertain amidst escalating tensions.