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Source: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-853803
How Hamas Used American Hostage Edan Alexander as a Pawn
(Jerusalem Post) Dr. Dan Diker - While we celebrate the release of Israeli/American hostage Edan Alexander, we should not be fooled that this is a Hamas gesture to the U.S. Rather, this is Hamas's further weaponization and exploitation of hostages as acts of political and cognitive warfare against Israel. It is designed to further legitimize Hamas as a viable negotiator and keep Hamas in power. Hamas-affiliated media have branded the release as the Edan deal, portraying Hamas as a rising international player and sidelining Israel from direct talks with Washington. However, President Trump has stated clearly that Hamas must be dislodged from Gaza. The U.S. is committed to regional security, Israeli-Saudi normalization, and the end of Islamic extremist terror. The writer is president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.