The Last Word with Matt Cooper
Episodes
Access To New Drugs "Most Pressing Issue" For Irish Cancer Patients
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
United Cancer Advocates Network is a newly formed group of cancer advocates who are pushing for better access to cutting edge drugs in Ireland.Chairpe...
Wired Our Way: An Anthology of Irish Autistic Voices
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of World Autism Day, author Niamh Garvey talked about her late diagnosis and editing a book of essay from neurodiverse people.To catch the full ...
The Last Word On The US: Trump's Incoming Tariffs, US Threats To Greenland & Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty For Luigi Mangione
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and journalist Marion McKeone join Matt for a bumper edition of the The Last Word on the US.They discu...
Some Homeowners Facing Increase In Property Tax
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has confirmed the Local Property Tax will rise next year. Most property owners will see it increase by betwee...
Visitor Numbers Fall 30% & Government Considers Intervention In Dublin Airport Cap - What's Going On With Irish Tourism?
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sam Scriven, senior statistician with the Central Statistics Office, and Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, chief executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederat...
Gaelic Football: Kerry Crowned National Football League Division One Champions
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kerry won the Division One National Football League on Sunday after a dominant win over Mayo at Croke Park.Elsewhere, Monaghan were crowned winners of...
How Will Us Tariffs Affect Ireland’s Whiskey Industry?
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stuart McNamara, spokesperson for The Irish Craft and Artisan Distilleries Association and director of Portmagee Whiskey in Kerry, and Barry Cowen, Fi...
The Week Trending: 72-Hour Emergency Kit, Ireland Advised To Join The Commonwealth & Spicebag Added To The Dictionary
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The European Union urges every household to put together a 72-hour emergency kit, a Conservative MP calls on Ireland to join the Commonwealth and spic...
Irish People Are Second Biggest Users of Ecstasy in EU - Report
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Conor Gallagher, Security and Crime Correspondent, Irish Times and Prof Colin O’Gara, Head of Addiction Services, St John of God Hospital discuss th...
The Week Muhammad Ali Spent In Ireland
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 1972, American boxing champion Muhammad Ali, the most famous athlete in the world, came to Ireland to fight in Croke Park.Dave Hannigan, author of ...
Tech Thursday: Smart Navigation And Handsfree Control - The Latest Driving Tech
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to run through some of the best new driving tech including easy to read smart navigation and top of the range dash...
What’s It Like To Go Car Free In Ireland?
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Environmentalist and Researcher in Climate Policy, Sadhbh O’Neill, recently made the decision to sell her car and buy an e-bike.She spoke to Matt on...
Calls For Breast Checks To Be Available For Women Under 50
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fianna Fáil Senator Teresa Costello has said that radical reform is needed for women under the age of 50 who present with breast cancer symptoms, hav...
Culture Club: Patricia Scanlan
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Patricia Scanlan is the latest inductee into The Last Word Culture Club, where she talks about the music, books, TV and movies that have influe...
Permission Granted For New Microsoft Data Centre In Dublin
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Energy supplier Energia has been given the go-ahead to build a data centre in Dublin to be operated by tech giant, Microsoft.Ian Guider, columnist wit...
Has Our Social Behaviour Changed Since The Covid-19 Pandemic?
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The CSO has released a survey showing the long term impact the experience of living through the Covid-19 pandemic has made.Five years on, one in four ...
The Last Word On The US: United States War Plans Leaked In Group Chat
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's outrage in the United States after a journalist was included in a group chat in which US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Van...
Gardaí Carry Out Raids On Gang Known As “The Family”
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Monday, gardaí conducted raids on members of a Dublin-based drugs gang known as The Family.The Irish Times reported that the gardaí’s National ...
The Last Word On TV And Streaming: Why Everyone Is Talking About Adolescence
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Elaine Burke and Joe O’Shea discuss the four-part Netflix drama, Adolescence, written by and starring Stephen Graham, that is being watched all over...
Ireland Beat Bulgaria In The Nations League To Retain League B Status
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland beat Bulgaria 2-1 (4-2 on aggregate) in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday night which retains their status in League B in the Nations League.Gavin C...
Have Diagnoses For Autism, ADHD, Long Covid And Other Disorders Gone To Far?
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Has medicine gone too far in diagnosing disorders like autism, ADHD or even long Covid? Can these diagnoses sometimes hinder a person more than they h...
The Week Trending: Conor McGregor's Presidential Bid, Tesla Boycott And The Happiest Places In The World
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following his St Patrick's Day White House visit, Conor McGregor has said he will run for president of Ireland this year; Tesla cars are being boycott...
Woman Says She Was Falsely Identified As GAA Catfish
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A teacher has claimed that she was wrongly identified as the so-called “GAA Catfish”, and has secured a short term injunction restraining her empl...
How To Silence Your Inner Critic And Reclaim Your Confidence
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In his latest book, high performance coach Gerry Hussey examines the power of the inner voice and how to silence the criticisms that are holding you b...
Tech Thursday: Cutting The Amazon Cord, Part Two
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andy O'Donoghue runs through a comprehensive list of alternatives to Amazon streaming, smart home, shopping and audiobook offerings.To catch the full ...
Greenpeace Faces Bankruptcy After Court Orders It To Pay $660m For Defaming Oil Firm
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A jury in North Dakota has ordered Greenpeace to pay $660m to the company Energy Transfer after finding it liable for defamation over protests that to...
Government To Miss Housing Targets Over Next Three Years
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Government will miss its own housing targets over the next three years, according to new analysis from the Central Bank. Ian Guider, columnist wit...
Culture Club: Gary Lightbody
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody has released his first book “The Forest is the Path”, sharing its name with the band’s latest studio album.T...
New Changes Could See Oral Exams Introduced To Leaving Cert English
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leaving Cert English students could face oral exams worth 20 per cent at the end of fifth year, with the written exam reducing from two papers to one ...
The Last Word On The US: Trump And Putin Have Phone Call Over Ukraine Ceasefire
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US President Donald Trump has had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine.Cal Thomas, nationally syndicat...
How Did McGregor Reach The White House And Could It Lead To The Áras?
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There was much surprise on St Patrick's Day when MMA fighter Conor McGregor met with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office just days after Taoi...
Amazon.ie Launches In Ireland
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon.ie was officially launched in Ireland on Tuesday, where Irish users are no longer obliged to use Amazon.co.uk.The subscription price is €6.99...
Why Boxing Is Darker Than It Ever Was Before
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author and journalist Donald McRae has written his latest book “The Last Bell: Life, Death and Boxing”.He’s followed the careers of some of the ...
The Week Trending: New Old Trafford, The Taoiseach's White House Visit & St Patrick's Day Crackdown
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Manchester United unveils plan to build a new stadium beside Old Trafford, gardaí prepare for St Patrick's Day in Dublin and was the Taoiseach's trip...
The Last Word On The Environment: What Is Climate Whiplash?
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new report has shown that climate whiplash is making an impact in cities such as Madrid and Riyadh, which sees the weather swing between extreme wet...
Tech Thursday: What Are The Alternatives To Amazon?
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you thinking of shopping online but want to find alternatives to Amazon?On this week’s Tech Thursday, Andy O’Donoghue spoke to Will O’Callag...
Culture Club: Maria Kelly
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Irish folk singer Maria Kelly was the latest guest to be inducted into The Last Word’s Culture Club.She talked to Ian Guider about the music, litera...
Why Retailers Have Given Up Protecting Their Stock From Shoplifters
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many Irish retailers have given up challenging shoplifters stealing from their stores due to the number of defamation actions being taken, according t...
Tariffs, Gaza & Ukraine - Taoiseach Meets With US President At The White House
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tariffs, Gaza and the 'massive' trade deficit between Ireland and the US were among the issues raised during Taoiseach Micheál Martin's meeting with ...
Nightmare Continues For US Stock Markets As Trump Doubles Canadian Metal Tariffs
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The US stock market has plunged again after US President Donald Trump announced he will double the already planned tariffs on Canadian metal imports.I...
The Last Word On The US: Trump Escalates Trade War With Canada As Concerns Grow Over US Recession
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US President Donald Trump's plan to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50% is the latest in a series of trade policy moves that are driv...
Manchester United Announce Plans To Build “World’s Greatest Stadium”, Replacing Old Trafford
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Tuesday, Manchester United announced plans to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium, which is estimated to cost approximately two billion pounds.But...
France End Ireland’s Grand Slam Hopes At The Aviva Stadium
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland’s grand slam hopes in this year’s Six Nations came crashing down on Saturday after a scintillating 2nd half display by France at the Aviva...
The Last Word On Travel: Winter Activities For Those Who Don't Want To Ski
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to discuss her recent trip to the Gastein valley in Austria. While Gastein has great skiing...
Artificial Intelligence Could 'Supercharge' Financial Fraud
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence has the potential to 'supercharge' financial fraud by creating more and more convincing scams, the Banking...
The Week Trending: With Love, Meghan, Carrigstown Gets A Lidl & Should The World Cup Have A Half-Time Show?
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meghan Markle's lifestyle programme takes the world by storm, and not in the way she might have hoped, Fair City's Carrigstown gets a Lidl, and should...
The Last Word's Big Busk: Moncrieff Joins Matt For Karaoke Cooper
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As part of The Big Busk for Focus Ireland, Matt is joined in studio by a special musical guest, rising star of Irish pop Moncrieff!He chats to Matt ab...
The Latest Smart Kitchen Gadgets Including Air Fryers, Blinds, & Washing Machines
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andy O'Donoghue had the latest in smart kitchen tech including a smart air fryer, smart washing machines and smart blinds. To catch the full conversat...
Culture Club: Fionnuala Moynihan
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fionnuala Moynihan, International concert pianist, was the latest entry into The Last Word’s Culture Club.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to ...
State Takes In More Than €15 Billion In Corporation Tax So Far This Year
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tax revenue for the first two months of this year rose to €15.2 billion, boosted by a €1.7 billion payment from Apple as part of its tax settlemen...
Things Your Future Self Will Thank You For
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Mark Rowe, GP, and expert in burn out prevention, talks about his latest book. He outlines some of the things we can do today, from walking in natu...
The Last Word On The US: Trump Makes Many Dubious Claims In 99 Minute Speech To Congress
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US President Donald Trump made a number of exaggerated and inaccurate claims during his first address to a joint session of Congress since he returned...
Sarah Corbett Lynch On Her Father Jason's Death And Her Search For Healing
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Sarah Corbett Lynch was just eight-years-old when her father Jason was killed by his wife Molly Martens and her father Tom Martens leaving Sarah ...
The Last Word On The US: Trump Freezes Military Aid To Ukraine
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US President Donald Trump has paused all shipments of military aid to Ukraine following his heated meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky...
Jim McGuinness Says League Final Is Diminished By Condensed Calendar
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After 5 rounds of the Allianz National Football League, Donegal sit in second place in the table, level on points with leaders Galway.However, after D...
Ireland's Next Big Busker - Joe Sweeney
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As part of The Big Busk for Focus Ireland, Today FM is looking for Ireland's best up and coming busker!Joe Sweeney is one of the musicians competing t...
Zelenskyy Says End Of Ukraine War Still “Very Far Away”
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that a deal to end the war between Russia & Ukraine is “very, very far away”, following a tense meetin...
The Week Trending
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
98FM's Cathal O'Sullivan and Irish Times advice columnist, and Hot Press movies editor, Roe McDermott sit down with Matt to go through all the biggest...
Micheal Martin Invited To White House On March 12
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post, discussed the Taoiseach’s upcoming trip to Washington DC.He also reacted to the repatriation flight t...
What Disney's 'Say Nothing' Got Wrong About The Murder Of Jean McConville
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist and author Martin Dillon joins The Last Word to discuss the role played by women in the Troubles and the toll it took on them, as described...
Who Will Be The Big Winners At This Year’s Oscars?
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Roe McDermott, Movies Editor with Hotpress, joined Matt for this week’s movies slot on The Last Word.She predicted who she thinks will win big at Su...
Number Of Bears, Wolves And Lynx On The Rise Across Europe
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following the introduction of several conservation measures, the number of brown bears has risen by 17% across Europe since 2016. Experts have seen a ...
How Rural Depopulation Is Impacting GAA Clubs
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At GAA Congress in Donegal last weekend, president Jarlath Burns described rural depopulation as “a full-blown crisis” for the association.Speakin...
Culture Club: Garrett Carr
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate the release of his new book “The Boy From The Sea”, author Garrett Carr was The Last Word’s latest entry to the Culture Club.Hit th...
Glanbia Share Price Tumbles As Company Predicts Significant Headwinds This Year
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Glanbia's share price fell by around 20% today as the nutrition company predicts its 2025 profits will take a battering, Ian Guider, columnist with th...
Brian O’Driscoll On Ireland’s Six Nations Grand Slam Hopes
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leinster and Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll joined Matt on Wednesday to talk about Ireland’s win against Wales in round 3 of the Guinness Six Nat...
Most People Won't Pay Higher Taxes For A Green Energy Future
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new survey has found that most people are not willing to pay more for a transition to renewable energy.Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with ...
How Focus Ireland Helped One Women Turn Around Her Family's Life
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt talks to Zara, a Focus Ireland Ambassador about her experience accessing the services of the homelessness charity and how she was helped in secur...
'Huge Frustration & Anger' Over Cost Overruns In Public Sector - Minister For Public Expenditure
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gabija Gataveckaite, political correspondent with the Irish Independent, and Peadar Toibin, leader of Aontú, join The Last Word as it has been reveal...
The Last Word On The US: Macron & Trump Standoff Over Ukraine Spending
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
French President Emmanuel Macron met with President Donald Trump at the White House this week and the two leaders clashed over how much money each has...
What Can We Learn From Our Behaviour During The Covid-19 Pandemic?
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new report from the Economic and Social Research Institute says that there was a strong link between the number of cases of Covid-19 reported daily ...
The Last Word On Travel: Moving From Ireland To Australia
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thinking of heading to Australia and not sure where to start? Kaitlin Murphy from the travelexpert.ie has just returned from spending a year down unde...
Ireland Get The Job Done In Cardiff To Set Up Huge 4th Round Game Against France
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland came from behind to beat Wales on Saturday and set up what is being billed as the title decider for this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations...
Street Crime Now The Number One Priority For Gardaí In Dublin
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, Garda Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said he wants to make increasing the number of guards on the str...
The Week Trending: The Pope's Health Scare, Back Garden Living & The James Bond Bombshell
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pope Francis' health scare leaves many wondering if he will resign, living in a cabin in the garden, and the future of the James Bond franchise.Fionnu...
What Is The Government Doing To Boost Homebuilding?
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne joins The Last Word to discuss measures being considered by government to boost homeb...
Elon Musk Waves ‘Chainsaw Of Bureaucracy” Gifted By Argentinian President
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Elon Musk took to the stage in Washington this week and showed off a chainsaw given to him by Argentina’s president Javier Milei. Musk went on to sa...
Tech Thursday: What's Next For Artificial Intelligence?
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss how artificial intelligence is evolving and how soon we could see a version of AI that adapts and learn...
IDA Plans To Create 75,000 Jobs Over The Next Five Years
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ian Guider, columnist with The Business Post, joins Matt to discuss all the big business headlines from Wednesday.IDA Ireland plans to deliver 75,000 ...
Culture Club: Chris O’Dowd
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of the release of his new show Small Town, Big Story on Sky Atlantic, actor Chris O’Dowd was the latest guest to be inducted into The Last Wor...
Further Changes To Accommodation Supports For Ukrainian Refugees Expected
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Government is expected to announce changes to the €800 tax-free payment given to those hosting Ukrainian refugees in the coming weeks.Of the 80,000 ...
Planning Rules For Modular Homes In Back Gardens To Be Relaxed
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The government is said to be considering relaxing planning rules on modular homes in back gardens in the latest effort to ease Ireland’s housing cri...
The Last Word On The US: US And Russian Officials Meet To Discuss Ukraine
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The United States and Russia have agreed to have closer cooperation and continue planning an end to the war in Ukraine following a meeting of official...
80,000 Homes Lying Vacant Despite Housing Crisis
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More than 80,000 homes are lying vacant in Ireland despite the ongoing housing crisis, according to new analysis from An Post.Jude Sherry, director of...
Tourists Face Tax To Stay In Dublin
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The tourism industry has raised concerns over the government’s plans to introduce a so-called ‘accommodation levy’ on hotels and short terms let...
Premier League: Tottenham Heap More Misery On Man United
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Manchester United now sit in 15th place after losing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur yesterday, in what Miguel Delaney of the Independent described as the wo...
Extreme Day Trips – European Cities In One Day
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If time and budgets are limited, Sarah Slattery, thetravelexpert.ie, suggests affordable day trips to European cities, from Paris, to Bergamo, to Amst...
Concerns Grow Over Levels Of Knife Crime In Dublin After Fatal Stabbing
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A 34-year-old man has died after he was stabbed in Dublin city centre in the early hours of Saturday morning.Meanwhile, new figures released by An Gar...
The Week Trending: Trump's Fight Against Paper Straws, 'Ag Insint Bréaga' & Tourists Told To Cover Up
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump bans paper straws in Federal Buildings, Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald accuses Taoiseach Micheál Martin of calling her a liar and touris...
How Worried Should We Be By Trump’s Tariffs Plan?
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Colgan, financial journalist, and Kate English, chief economist with Deloitte Ireland, discuss Trump’s latest announcement on ‘reciprocal’ ...
The Last Word On Movies: Bridget Jones – Mad About The Boy
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
‘Warm and funny’, Roe McDermott, movies editor with Hot Press, recommended the latest in the Bridget Jones series – Mad About The Boy. To catch ...
European Countries Insist They Must Be Involved In Ukraine Peace Talks
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
European powers have said that there can be no negotiation about the war in Ukraine without Ukraine and Europe at the table. It comes as US President ...
Government Makes LNG Facility A Priority, Despite Warnings From Scientists
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The government is set to make the a liquefied natural gas facility a priority, with an estimated cost of €500m over ten years. It has received crit...
The Latest In Home Fitness Tech
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On The Last Word, Andy O'Donoghue has the latest in home fitness equipment from stationary bikes to bouncing boots.Catch the full chat by pressing the...
Culture Club: Gary Kemp
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former member of Spandau Ballet Gary Kemp was the latest inductee into The Last Word’s Culture Club this week.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page...
Should The Taoiseach Visit President Trump In The White House If He’s Invited?
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel McConnell, Editor with the Business Post, had the details of the 40 Government representatives who are travelling abroad for St Patrick’s Day...
“Cost Of Loving” Crisis Increases Prices For Valentines Day Spending
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The cost of flowers, chocolates and dining out have all increased since Valentine’s Day last year, according to recent analysis.Meanwhile, the avera...
The Last Word On Music: Kendrick Lamar Makes Political Statement With Super Bowl Performance
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Sunday night, Donald Trump was the first sitting US President to attend a Super Bowl but reportedly left his seat at half time during Kendrick Lama...
82% Of Kids Have Unsupervised Access To Devices
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new survey has found that 82% of young children are allowed to use smart devices unsupervised in their bedrooms and almost half believe they sp...
The Last Word On The US: Trump Says Gaza Ceasefire Should Be Cancelled If All Israeli Hostages Are Not Freed By Saturday
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Gaza ceasefire is under threat after US President Donald Trump said that “all hell is going to break out” if Israeli hostages are not released...