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Source: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-819237
Hamas's Hostage Homicide Strategy
(Jerusalem Post) Dr. Dan Diker - Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar doesn't want a hostage deal. He plans to cause Israel to bleed profusely, divide Israeli society, create civil strife, and trigger a regional Iran-driven war on Israel. In its psychological war against Israel, Hamas made sure to record each of the hostages on video to galvanize Israeli and international public opinion to attempt to force Israel to capitulate to Hamas's demands. Calls for "ceasefire" and "bring them home" don't reflect the deal on the table. Israel would pay an enormous price for very few live hostages. The Aug. 28 U.S.-mediated negotiations included the proposed release of only 12 to 20 live hostages, leaving the vast majority of live and dead hostages in Hamas dungeons and increasing the probability of death for the remaining victims. An Israeli pullout from the Philadelphi Corridor would leave this vital passage in the hands of Hamas, enabling the terror group to maintain power, rearm, and resupply. This would also reassert Iran's presence in Gaza and serve as an escape route for Hamas leadership as well as scores of hostages who can be moved into Egypt and ultimately to Iran. Many in the West are convinced that the war against Hamas is a political conflict that can be negotiated to a successful solution. However, this is not the case. Israel is facing a broader ideological, religious war for its existence, led by the Iranian regime and executed by its proxies. The writer is president of the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs.