Trump on Israel-Hamas hostage deal: ‘This is not going to end well’

by Steff Danielle Thomas - 11/25/23 4:14 PM ET

Former President Trump branded Saturday as a “dark day” as Hamas moves to release a second wave of hostages amid a temporary truce in its war with Israel.

Trump in a social media post criticized the deal, pointing to the lack of Americans being released.

“Has anybody noticed that Hamas has returned people from other Countries but, so far, has not returned one American Hostage?” he wrote on Truth Social, making a subtle dig at President Biden. “There is only one reason for that, NO RESPECT FOR OUR COUNTRY OR OUR LEADERSHIP.”

“This is a very sad and dark period of America!” Trump added.

His comments come after Hamas, which is labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. and many other countries, released about two dozen hostages Friday as part of a four-day pause in the war. This marked just the first batch of about 50 captives expected to be set free during the truce in exchange for more than 100 Palestinian prisoners.

Biden said Friday that he expects some Americans believed to be held hostage by Hamas to be released in the deal — but he could not confirm their health status.

“We don’t know when that will occur, but we expect it to occur,” Biden said.

The militant group is expected to release another group of hostages Saturday, after a brief delay. No Americans are expected in this exchange either, per U.S. officials.

However, Biden said he is “hopeful” that the temporary cease-fire will be extended and more hostages will be returned, including at least two American women and a 4-year-old girl.

“That’s our goal,” the president added.

Trump claimed the deal wouldn’t end well because of Hamas’s demands.

“Hamas now wants a better deal for hostages,” he wrote in a separate post. “This is not going to end well!”

The former president in an interview with Univision earlier this month suggested that the international community should just let the war “play out,” because it shouldn’t have started.

While often touting his support for Israel while in the White House, his comments following the initial Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel have sparked questions.

Trump not only described Iran-backed Hezbollah as “very smart,” but he also heavily criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately after.