WASHINGTON: US President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Hamas, stating that if hostages are not released before his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, "all hell will break loose."

"If those hostages are not returned, all hell will break loose. If they are not back by the time I take office, all hell will break loose in the Middle East," Trump declared during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

"This is not good for Hamas, and it’s not good for anyone. All hell will break loose. They should have returned the hostages a long time ago. The October 7 attack should never have happened, but many lives were lost there as well. If the deal is not finalized within two weeks of my taking office, all hell will break loose in the Middle East," he reiterated, responding to questions about the status of negotiations with Hamas regarding the release of American hostages.

“I believe we are on the brink of securing their release,” Trump added. “I don’t wish to discuss the delays caused so far. I hope we can do some good things for the President at the time of the inauguration,” said Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steven Charles Witkoff.