President-elect Donald Trump has called for the immediate release of hostages taken during the Hamas-led assault on Israel, warning that those responsible will face severe consequences if the captives are not freed before his inauguration on January 20, 2025.

Mr Trump, in a post on Turth Social on Monday, did not directly name Hamas but warned that “if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date I proudly assume office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against humanity.”

Calling for the immediate release of hostages, Mr Trump vowed that the U.S., under his leadership, would hit the Middle East more than any of its leaders had done in history.

“Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire world in the Middle East – But it’s all talk and no action!” Mr Trump said.

“Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!”

Mr Trump’s statement comes amid a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon midwifed by America and France.

Following the October 7 attack on Israel, about 250 persons were abducted and have been taken hostage. Around 100 of them remain in Gaza, with reports suggesting that a third of those taken are believed to have died.