Quotes
It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone. All hell will break out. I don't have to say anymore, but that's what it is,
Addressing a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Tuesday (local time), Donald Trump said
No, I can't assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security."
When asked whether he would rule out using "military or economic coercion" to achieve his goal of gaining those territories. he respondedIt's the president, his reputation, the things that he has said that are driving this negotiation, and so hopefully it'll all work out and we'll save some lives,
he saidIf those hostages aren't back – I don't want to hurt your negotiation – if they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East,
he added in reference to Witkoff
I think that we've had some really great progress. And I'm really hopeful that by the inaugural, we'll have some good things to announce on behalf of the president,
Witkoff told reportersDo I have to define it for you?"
In response to a reporter who pressed him on his meaning, Trump saidAll hell will break out,
Trump said, speaking alongside Steve Witkoff, special envoy to the Middle East and who has begun participating in cease-fire negotiations alongside the Biden administration and leaders from Egypt, Qatar, Israel and HamasI believe we’ve been on the verge of it. I don’t want to discuss sort of what’s delayed it, no point to be negative in any way. But I think it’s the president, his stature, what he’s said he expects, the red lines he’s put out there, that’s driving this negotiation,
Witkoff said
They’re no longer hostages. I have people from Israel and others calling, begging me to get — we had also people there from the United States just so you know. They’re holding some so-called hostages from the US, but I’ve had mothers come to me and fathers crying, can I get the body of their son back? Can I get the body of their daughter back?”
he saidI don’t want to hurt your negotiation,
Trump said to Steve Witkoff
I believe we've been on the verge of it,
said Witkoff, after Trump spotted him in the back of the room and called him up to the podium to speak
We want to get back those hostages for Israel and for us,
Trump saidYou know, we do have people that are hostages being held, ... And I'll just say it again, if this deal is not done with the people representing our nation, by the time I get to office, all hell is going to break out."
he saidI would say that the president is exasperated,
Witkoff said
No, I think they heard him loud and clear: Better get done by the inaugural."
Asked by another reporter if Hamas was riding out President Joe Biden's lame-duck presidency, Witkoff saidThey should have never taken them; there should have never been the attack of Oct. 7,
he continuedI just say it this very simply: Steve's got a job to do,
Trump said