Trump's Middle East envoy says progress being made on Israeli hostages in Gaza

Trump said of the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas in the Oct. 7, 2024, attack on Israel, "If the hostages are not back by the time I'm in office, all hell will break out in the Middle East."

By REUTERS, AMICHAI STEIN, JERUSALEM POST STAFF JANUARY 7, 2025 19:27 Updated: JANUARY 7, 2025 19:58

American business person Steve Witkoff makes remarks next to US President-elect Donald Trump, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, US January 7, 2025 (illustration). (photo credit: Canva, REUTERS/CARLOS BARRIA, Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Tuesday he hopes to have good things to report about Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza by the time Trump is sworn in as president on Jan. 20.

Witkoff, at a press conference held by Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, said, "I'm really hopeful that by the inaugural we'll have some good things to announce on behalf of the president."

Trump said of the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, "If the hostages are not back by the time I'm in office, all hell will break out in the Middle East, and it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone."

Trump, when asked about this warning on the Hugh Hewitt Podcast on Monday, responded, "That is exactly what I meant. If the hostages are not released by the time I take office, there will be hell—no ‘don’t,’ there will be hell. They need to be released now."

"I am Israel’s best friend. I moved the embassy to Jerusalem—everything was good, including the Abraham Accords, and every major positive event in Israel recently was because of me. I must also note that I support peace—now is the time," he continued. 

President-elect Donald Trump over a backdrop of hostage posters (credit: Canva, REUTERS/FLORION GOGA, REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)

Trump's "don't" comment appeared to be a jab at US President Joe Biden, who warned other actors in the region who were thinking of attacking Israel shortly after October 7.

"To anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: 'Don't,'" Biden said from Israel on October 10, 2023.

Trump's appointment of Witkoff

Trump appointed Witkoff, a close friend and confidant, as his administration’s Middle East envoy with the goal of securing a peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Trump reportedly also wants the deal to make progress toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to sources familiar with his thinking.

Walla contributed to this report.