WASHINGTON, D.C. - President-Elect Donald Trump is threatening there will be “all hell to pay in the Middle East” and for others who are holding hostages.  

In Trump’s Truth social post on Monday, he said in part if the hostages are not released before he takes office in mid-January, “there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East”. He also adds those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the history of the U.S. 

The statement follows the death confirmation of 21 year-old Omer Neutra from New York. Neutra, an American-Israeli soldier who was believed to be held captive in Gaza, has now been confirmed he died during the October seventh attacks.  

We reached out to Trump’s transition team to clarify what he means about “all hell to pay” and what kind of tactics that look like but they have not got back to us yet. 

Here’s what some Senators said about Trump’s comments and suggestions from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for how the incoming president should handle the hostage situation: 

"I think engagement with our allies is always the first step," said Sen. Gillibrand. "Engagement with Israel and our partners in the Middle East. Engaging with UAE, engaging with Saudi Arabia. Trying to get the Abrahamic Alliance back on the table. Trying to negotiate a regional defense alliance would create a strategy long term to defeat terrorism. It would shift the balance of power away from Iran towards Israel in a very productive way so that might shift the power in hostage release negotiations." 

“It’s putting everyone that harbors Hamas on warning and those that fund Hamas on warning,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R- OK). “If you’re providing assistance to Hamas to hold hostages, you’re in the fray too and I'm glad President Trump is already leading peace through strength.” 

“Tough talk on social media is one thing,” said Sen. John Fetterman (D- PA). “I’m not sure who’s left to hand any hell to- I mean leadership is gone and Hamas has effectively been destroyed so I'm not sure who is left you can give hell to.” 

The Hamas leadership Sen. Fetterman is referring to is Yahya Sinwar. He was the leader of Hamas but the IDF took him out about a month ago.