PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP: THERE WILL BE "HELL TO PAY"

As we all know, Donald Trump is now very close to inauguration day when he will become the new President of the USA. He made a statement that received headlines that there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages held by Hamas were not released by the time he takes office. Some may think President-Elect Trump is bluffing. I do not think he is given to bluffs. I think he means it. What does he have in mind for a dramatic action when he takes office? We don’t have long to wait to find out.

First, let’s review where we are. The first link and second link cite the international press coverage regarding Donald Trump’s threat. When he takes office, he has vast power to inflict “hell” on whoever he chooses to regarding the hostage situation. It is reported that Hamas killed 1,208 Israeli citizens in their surprise attack on mostly unarmed Israeli villages on October 7, 2023. Many were tortured before they were killed. 251 Israelis were kidnapped and taken hostage into Hamas territory in Gaza. A hostage deal between the Israelis and Hamas resulted in the release of over 100 Israelis, but approximately 100 remain in captivity. Perhaps 60+ are considered to be still alive while the rest are presumed dead.

What many have forgotten is that seven hostages have American citizenship. This means the US government is responsible for obtaining their release. The Biden administration has done nothing to take responsibility for their safety. Indeed, I can scarcely remember President Biden even mentioning them in any of his statements. It is clear that Hamas and their Iranian masters did not take Biden seriously throughout this Israeli-Hamas war. I think they are about to learn that Trump is quite serious about obtaining the release of not only the seven Americans but all the hostages.

As you know, the Israelis have been very through in destroying the military capabilities of Iran’s regional proxies. There is scarcely anything left of the cities of Gaza. They have been reduced to rubble. Hezbollah has had its leadership annihilated, many of its fighters killed and much of its weaponry destroyed. During the brief Syrian civil war Israel destroyed virtually the entire Syrian military forces. There are scarcely any targets left in Gaza. The third link, fourth link and fifth link show the extent of the Israeli destruction of Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria and Iranian assets inside Syria.

How will Trump accomplish the release of the hostages? I will offer what is my personal expectation. It comes with no guarantees; it is just my personal expectation.

Any American military strikes in Gaza would risk killing the hostages Trump seeks to free. Any raid vs. Hezbollah or Syria would be pointless as they are not holding any hostages and the Israelis have already bombed the meaningful military sites in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. That leaves two possible targets: Iran itself and the Houthis in Yemen. Many Israeli spokespersons have said that while Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria were the body of the snake, the “head of the snake” is Iran. Iran armed and led Hamas in Gaza. Iran likely approved the raid which took so many hostages captive. Therefore, it would be logical for President Trump to hit Iran and hit it hard if the hostages are not released by January 20th. Hamas is a proxy of Iran so one phone call from Iran’s leaders to Hamas should result in the release of the hostages. Iran was never given reason to fear Biden or take him seriously.

If the hostages are not released, I think Trump will order military strikes vs. Iran’s oil and energy facilities and perhaps its nuclear facilities as well. Iran supports terrorism with money gained from selling Iranian oil. Taking away the ability of Iran to ship its oil will eliminate further terrorist-intended monies for the Iranian leaders. If the hostages are not released by January 20th, Trump could order the destruction of the Iranian oil-loading facilities at Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, and then announce that another key Iranian facility will be bombed the next day unless Iran orders Hamas to release the hostages. Eventually Iran will be destroyed if they refuse to order Hamas to release the hostages without any quid pro quo. Israel has effectively destroyed the Iranian air defenses so Trump can pretty much bomb Iran at will. Trump could also order B-52 carpet bombings of the Houthi military sites in Yemen (all of the Houthi military sites and weaponry were provided by Iran). If Trump begins the process of dismantling Iran, I think Iran will come to its senses and order Hamas to release all living hostages and the bodies of the dead hostages quickly. Biden has ordered some American attacks vs targets in Houthi territory, but they have neither stopped the Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea nor have they stopped Houthi attacks with Iranian missiles vs. Israel itself. The lack of any real effect from the American air raids makes me wonder if the Biden administration ordered American pilots to bomb Yemeni sand dunes instead of real military targets. If so, Biden could say he ordered attacks on Houthi territory while knowing that no meaningful damage would be done. If Trump orders air raids vs. the Houthis, real damage will be done.

If the above scenario or one like it plays out in the Mideast, Trump’s credibility will be greatly enhanced, and no one will want to trifle with him during his presidency. Such a policy of sheer strength will be respected by all. Biden’s policy of endless weakness has been very costly.

There is a biblical prophecy that applies to this situation, I believe. Leviticus 26 is a prophecy which promises God’s blessings on nations that follow his ways and fear God. It also lists curses for nations that rebel against God’s ways and do not fear God. Leviticus 26:19 states that one of the curses that God will send to disobedient nations is that he will “break the pride of your power.” Notice that God does not say he will remove all the power of rebellious nations; he will remove from those nations “the pride of their power.” In other words, God will send a spirit of weakness and fearfulness on such nations and their leaders so they do not use or apply the power they still have. The Biden administration personified this curse. It began with an all-out display of cowardice in ordering the US military to flee from the Taliban in Afghanistan and to even abandon their weaponry behind them to be taken by the Taliban. The Biden administration is leaving office without ever lifting a military finger to release the American or Israeli hostages in Gaza. I think the Trump administration may begin with a military “bang” vs. Iran and the Houthis if those hostages are not released before Trump takes office. President Trump, I believe, comes into office with a a full intent to use American power in the Mideast to bring the conflicts to an end and bring the hostages home. If so, the world will see an America which again has “the pride of its power” intact.

PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP: THERE WILL BE “HELL TO PAY”

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