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No More Free Gaza Ceasefire for Hamas
(Wall Street Journal) Editorial - After Israel hit Hamas with air strikes beginning on Monday, the Arab mediators and terrorist echo chamber are crying bloody murder. But what did they expect when Hamas refused to release hostages for 2 1/2 weeks after the ceasefire ended? It was never tenable to give Hamas a reprieve while it wasn't giving up hostages. Nor was it effective to let Hamas negotiate in peace and quiet while it regrouped, with every incentive to drag out talks. But it was important for Israel to give a hostage deal every chance. Military force isn't replacing negotiations - it's Israel's best leverage. That's the theory of Israel's new campaign, which is designed to escalate steadily but stop when Hamas comes to terms.