Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) vowed that there will be “hell to pay” if Hamas violates the ceasefire deal struck recently with Israel.
Johnson joined NBC News’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, saying he was hopeful about the truce announced last week. He said he recently spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and they are “cautiously optimistic” that the Palestinian militant group will follow through with the three-part plan.
Johnson had a message for the international community regarding the ceasefire deal.
“Everyone around the world needs to know, as President Trump has made clear, that we stand with Israel and there will be hell to pay for Hamas if they violate these terms,” he said.
The first of many hostages are set to be released. Johnson said he was hopeful that Hamas would keep its word and uphold its end of the deal by releasing them all.
President Biden announced the ceasefire last week, essentially capping the 15-month-long war in Gaza that has left the region in rubble and many Palestinians struggling with famine.
Johnson said he hopes there will be peace and the hostages are released.
“It’s such a tragic situation and so unnecessary,” he said.
