In a dramatic intervention into foreign affairs, former US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Hamas militants, giving them an exact timeline to release all hostages held in Gaza.
The Republican firebrand delivered his explosive comments during a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, where he didn't hold back in his criticism of the current administration's handling of the escalating Middle East crisis.
'24 Hours to Release Hostages'
Trump revealed that during conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he advised giving Hamas "24 hours to get all the hostages out" before taking decisive military action.
"You have 24 hours to get them out," Trump declared to his supporters, outlining his proposed approach to the crisis. "We're going to go in and we're going to get them out."
Scathing Critique of Biden Administration
The former president launched a fierce attack on President Joe Biden's foreign policy, suggesting the current conflict would never have occurred under his leadership.
"This would have never happened," Trump stated emphatically. "This is the most dangerous and volatile situation we've seen in many years, and it's all because of weak leadership."
He particularly criticised the decision to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian assets, suggesting this had directly contributed to funding Hamas's operations.
Trump's Controversial Stance Draws Reactions
The comments have sparked intense debate among political analysts and foreign policy experts. Some see Trump's approach as demonstrating strong leadership, while others warn it could further escalate an already volatile situation.
Trump didn't shy away from controversial statements during his speech, also suggesting he would implement travel bans from certain Middle Eastern regions and reinstate his administration's hardline immigration policies.
As the 2024 presidential election campaign heats up, Trump's comments signal his intention to make foreign policy and national security central pillars of his political platform.
