Release the hostages if you want to live.

Republican Congressman Michael Waltz, appointed by President-elect Donald Trump as National Security Advisor, offered his views on the incoming administration's foreign policy regarding the Middle East. In an interview with commentator Ben Shapiro, broadcast on December 22nd, Waltz urged Hamas to release hostages before Trump takes office on January 20, 2025.

Trump issues ultimatum threatening 'catastrophe' for hostage-takers in Gaza.

According to The Times of Israel , Waltz said that the four American hostages had been held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip longer than the Americans captured during the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis.

"That is absolutely unacceptable. Overall, I think they haven't been adequately warned about the consequences. That's what we need to tell these groups. If you arrest an American, you will pay a very heavy price. There will be nothing but financial consequences for you and possibly a bullet to the forehead," said Waltz, a congressman who was formerly a member of the U.S. Army's Green Beret task force.

Congressman Michael Waltz, who was nominated by President-elect Trump to be National Security Advisor.

Hamas and other forces in the Gaza Strip are believed to be holding 96 hostages, with the Israeli military claiming 34 have been killed. President-elect Trump had previously issued a similar warning to Waltz but did not specify a plan for hostage rescue. Officials in outgoing President Joe Biden's administration have recently expressed cautious optimism about the prospects of a ceasefire and hostage release, but no agreement has yet been announced.

In the interview, Waltz praised Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the operation to blow up Hezbollah's pagers in Lebanon in September. Waltz said the operation could be made into a film and hailed it as the most effective covert operation in modern history, weakening Hezbollah and exposing the weaknesses of its ally Iran.

The lawmaker argued that Hamas is more isolated than ever and has only one way out. "All escape routes for Hamas have been blocked except for one: release the hostages if you want to live," Waltz said, suggesting the possibility of Hamas's survival, in contrast to Netanyahu's view on eradicating the group.

Iran's supreme leader names the 'mastermind' behind the overthrow of the Syrian government.

The US will monitor Iran.

Regarding Iran, Waltz stated that the country has been exposed and is facing two choices: either move quickly toward acquiring nuclear weapons or, conversely, avoid provoking Israel. "We'll see which path they choose. I don't want to reveal our plans, but we are watching very closely," Waltz said.

On the other hand, Waltz criticized President Biden for removing the "foreign terrorist organization" (FTO) designation from the Houthi, Hamas's ally in Yemen, in 2021. Waltz stated that he would soon reverse this decision.

Houthi forces parade in Sanaa, Yemen, on December 18.

Furthermore, Congressman Waltz predicted that there is a good chance of moving towards a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, an influential Arab country in the region.

Israel normalized relations with the UAE and Bahrain in 2020 through the mediation of the US administration under then-President Donald Trump and is now pursuing a similar agreement with Saudi Arabia. Both Israel and Saudi Arabia view Iran as a regional rival, and Waltz argues that this is a key point for the two countries to reach a normalization agreement. However, Hamas's attacks on Israel and Tel Aviv's subsequent military response in Gaza have brought the Palestinian issue back to the center.

Waltz said the parties were close to reaching an agreement, but Iran "threw a wrench in the works" by "sparking" the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Iran has repeatedly denied any involvement.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/co-van-ong-trump-canh-bao-hamas-tha-con-tin-neu-muon-song-185241223113341187.htm