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Is There a Way to Bring the Hostages Home without Derailing the War Against Hamas?
(Times of Israel) David Horovitz - As we knew it would, Hamas is using the remaining 132 hostages it has held since Oct. 7 as leverage to try to survive Israel's campaign to destroy its military capabilities, to maintain its hold on Gaza, and to secure the release of all Palestinian security prisoners today in Israeli jails - 8,600 in all, including 1,000 who either participated in the Oct. 7 slaughter or have been captured in the course of the ongoing war since. But conceding in full or large part to Hamas' demands would mean downgrading the vital national interest in destroying Hamas - the cause for which over 220 IDF soldiers have lost their lives. It could enable Hamas to survive, rearm, and repeat Oct. 7. It could further embolden Israel's other, more powerful enemies. It could leave the tens of thousands of Israelis forced from their homes in the western Negev, and tens of thousands more near the northern border, unable to return. It could render Israelis everywhere in the country perpetually fearful for their basic security. It would discredit and marginalize non-extreme Muslim individuals, groups and governments. Israel must emerge successfully from this war.