Trump’s ‘all hell’ comments a threat to Hamas, says US VP-elect Vance

U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance stated that an agreement between Israel and Hamas might be reached soon, and the progress is due to "concerns that Hamas will face consequences." Vance said in a Fox News Sunday interview that they hope to reach an agreement in the final days, or even the last day or two, of the Biden administration.

Vance was responding to a question about President-elect Donald Trump's statement last week that the Middle East would "erupt into hell" if Hamas did not release the remaining captives. Vance believes that Trump's threat to Hamas and his clear indication that there would be a price to pay is partly the reason for the progress in releasing hostages.

To explain the practical implications of Trump's threat, Vance said, "I think first, it means allowing the Israelis to eliminate the last few battalions of Hamas and its leadership." He also added, "It means imposing very harsh sanctions and economic penalties on those countries that support terrorist organizations in the Middle East. It means truly fulfilling the role of American leadership, which Donald Trump did well for four years, and he will do even better in the next four years."

Despite months of negotiations and diplomatic efforts, a ceasefire agreement has not been reached to end the fighting that began since Hamas launched an attack inside Israel on October 7, 2023. The attack resulted in at least 1,139 deaths and over 200 people captured. In response, Israel has so far caused the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians and injured more than 109,000. However, mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are continuing efforts to push for an agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, as well as Biden's senior Middle East advisor Brett McGurk, are both in Doha for the latest round of talks. According to Israel's Channel 13, an Israeli official said on Monday that "the framework of the agreement is clear" and they are waiting for a response from Hamas. The official said, "If Hamas responds quickly, the details can be finalized in a matter of days."

Vance's interpretation of Trump's warning somewhat echoes the view repeatedly expressed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that destroying Hamas and achieving a "total victory" is Israel's primary goal in the Gaza war. However, analysts have long expressed doubts about this goal, considering the destruction of the ruling entity in Gaza to be unrealistic. Mouin Rabbani, a non-resident fellow at the Conflict and Humanitarian Studies Center, stated that while Hamas's military capabilities have certainly been weakened, it "still has the ability to fight and retains the will to fight."

Rabbani also stated, "I don't think anyone would have thought that Hamas would be able to withstand a year of attacks, possibly the most intense bombing and military operation since World War II. I think this will leave their leaders quite satisfied with the future of their movement." Israeli columnist Gideon Levy had previously expressed concern that the war could turn into an "endless war," calling Netanyahu's goal of absolute victory "absurd."

Levy believes, "There will be no defeat here. It will continue until Israel and Hamas – mainly Israel – realize that it is pointless and must stop at all costs." Even Israeli military officials and politicians have questioned Netanyahu's goal of completely destroying Hamas. In June of this year, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that Hamas is an "idea" that cannot be "destroyed."

Hagari said, "Hamas is a political party, and it is rooted in people's hearts. Anyone who thinks we can destroy Hamas is wrong." In June 2024, a poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research showed that Hamas's support in Gaza and the occupied West Bank reached 40%, compared to 34% three months prior. Last month, former Israeli Democratic Party member and current chairman Yair Golan stated that the war must end "through a political solution."

Golan mocked the Israeli leaders' claims of "total victory," pointing out that rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory for several consecutive days in December. He believes that the war must be resolved through political avenues, not military means.