(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Yoni Ben Menachem - Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza and the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 massacre, seeks to replicate the 2011 "Shalit deal," where Israel released over a thousand terrorists, including Sinwar himself, for one captured Israeli soldier. His demands include the release of several thousand security prisoners, including 400 murderers - in exchange for only some of the Israeli hostages. Israel must not succumb to Sinwar's blackmail and must continue the fight in Gaza until Hamas' military infrastructure is destroyed and its leadership eliminated. Israel cannot allow enemies to think they can blackmail the state and force security concessions. The writer, a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center, is a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television.
2024-01-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive