JD Vance says Trump will enable IDF to ‘knock out’ Hamas if hostages not released before inauguration

During an interview with FOX News on Sunday, Vance said “It means enabling the Israelis to knock out the final couple of battalions of Hamas and their leadership. It means very aggressive sanctions and financial penalties on those who are supporting terrorist organizations in the Middle East."

He added, “It means actually doing the job of American leadership which Donald Trump did very well for four years, and he's gonna do very well for the next four years.”

Vance continued that he was hopeful that a deal was close but that it might happen in the last few days of the Biden Administration. He said, “But regardless of when that deal is struck, it will be because people are terrified that there are going to be consequences for Hamas.”

Some of the hostages have been confirmed as dead but Hamas is still holding the bodies.

The Jerusalem Post reported a new flexibility from Hamas leadership in the negotiations for the hostages and a ceasefire since Trump’s threat. The Palestinian terrorist organization reportedly agreed to submit a list of living prisoners as part of the first phase of negotiations and added 11 prisoners to the list at Israel’s request during the most recent round of negotiations.

Additionally, Hamas didn’t object to the continued presence of the Israel Defense Forces in the Philadelphi Corridor, the closure of the Rafah crossing, or the positioning of Israeli forces at the Netzarim axis, all deemed crucial strategic areas by Israel to prevent the terrorist group from re-arming.