Yesterday was the first time since October 7 that Hamas has not fired rockets at Israel.
And in other news, Hamas yesterday offered to release between 10 and 15 hostages if Israel agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire.
Coincidence? I think not.
Hamas is being pummelled by Israel. And so this is exactly the moment for which Hamas took hostages - to be used as leverage when they needed a strategic pause in the fighting.
If Hamas cared about the lives of the hostages, they would release all 240 of them.
But, of course, they cannot and will not do that. Without the hostages - some of whom are small children - they would have no civilians to hide behind, and no way to manipulate Israel.
So offer to release a dozen now in return for 48 hours to regroup their forces. And keep more than 200 hostages under your keffiyeh for a rainy day.
It’s interesting that half the hostages they propose to release are Americans. Why do you think that is?
If you guessed that it is to force Joe Biden to pressure Israel into agreeing to Hamas’ terms, go to the top of the class.
Raping, beheading and manipulating is what they do.
I cannot imagine the dilemma for the Israeli government. They their boot on the neck of Hamas. This is not the time to release the pressure.
Hamas know their enemy. Unlike the terrorists, who turn out on the streets to celebrate Jewish corpses with sweets, the Jews love and celebrate life.
Israel is a nation that turned out on the streets to celebrate the rescue (not release, rescue) of just one hostage. When 19-year-old Ori Megidish was brought home it was a time of national celebration.
How does Israel not agree to Hamas’ offer of a 48-hour ceasefire in return for a dozen more precious lives?
On the other hand …
How does Israel ever agree with Hamas’s offer of a 48-hour ceasefire in return for a dozen more precious lives without signalling to all of their enemies that if you kidnap her people you can play her off a break?
May God grant Benjamin Netanyahu the wisdom of Solomon.
Amen. He needs the wisdom of Solomon on this one. Somehow, he has to come up with the idea of cutting the baby in half so Hamas backs down without killing the hostages. It is such a difficult decision. May God grant Benjamin Netanyahu the wisdom he needs and I am sure He will
Dear God, bless Benjamin Netanyahu with your wisdom and grant him your grace.
Sadly he will be vilified regardless what he decides. I don't envy his position.
You are right James, these evil beings have no motive, other than manipulation, in taking hostages, if they were serious and wanted this to end they would release them all.
So sad for Israel and the innocent lives affected by the evil of Hamas