Victoria Coates, who served as a special assistant to President Trump in the previous administration, states that "If we pass January 20 and the hostages are still not released, Hamas and Iran need to know that everything is on the table. The approach will be very aggressive."
Coates, who was also Deputy National Security Advisor in the US and is currently involved in preparations for Trump's return to the White House, visited Israel last week to promote her new book, The Fight for the Jewish State: How Israel and America Can Win.
The book was inspired by the massive pro-Hamas demonstrations across the US. "The book explains why the fight against Israel is also a fight against America. People need to understand that both nations are being attacked by anti-Western forces," Coates said in an interview with Israel Hayom.
We saw a very strong statement from President Trump regarding the hostages. But practically, what can he do? What leverage does he have over Hamas that hasn't already been used?
"First, such a statement from an American president about the hostages—a statement unprecedented until now—is something the American people have been waiting for.
The pressure must be on Hamas and Iran. They need to let the hostages go home, and they will pay the price if they don't. His words speak for themselves: they will pay a hellish price if they fail to act."
"Iran and Hamas should remember what happened during Trump's first term. The approach toward them will be very aggressive. If they're smart, they'll release the hostages before January 20. If they remain in the tunnels—everything is on the table."
But what can he concretely do?
"The president will decide concretely what to do. But if they don't release them, the pressure will be on them."
Will Trump put pressure on Qatar, given its leverage over Hamas?
"He will engage with the leaderships of Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey and tell them that the hostages are his top priority. No such request has been made of them so far. What Biden asked for was merely mediation. Trump wants to bring the American hostages home."
What about Iran's nuclear program? Isn't it time to destroy it militarily? Haven't all other options been exhausted, presenting an opportunity now?
"I know he is very concerned about it and has said repeatedly that Iran must not achieve nuclear weapons.
However, the Iran he will face in 2024 is much further along in its nuclear program than the one he dealt with in 2020. They are now on the verge of a breakout. Everything he does will be in consultation with Israel."
"There are no illusions about Iran being a partner. On the other hand, there are the Gulf States and the Abraham Accords nations, who are the real partners. So this will be a regional decision, not a unilateral US one."
Does he aim to reach an agreement with Iran?
"Trump is willing to talk to anyone, just as he met with North Korea's leader. But after two meetings, he understood that no agreement was possible there."
"As for Iran, he doesn't mean 'any agreement with Iran.' It has to be one that prevents them from obtaining nuclear weapons. Even in the first term, they were offered this option, but they chose to pursue nuclear arms.
If they change their minds, great."
Trump has promised to release the weapons shipments Biden has delayed but also wants the war to end. Could he demand Israel stop the fighting?
"I don't have a crystal ball, but I am confident that Trump will not be less supportive of Israel than Biden.
I don't know what the policy will be, and it's true that everyone wants the war to end. But in Trump's view, it should end on Israel's terms."
"If Hamas and Iran are smart, they'll release the hostages before January 20. But if the hostages remain in the tunnels—everything is on the table."
