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Hamas Isn't Interested in Releasing Hostages

(Washington Post) Jim Geraghty - It would be nice if Hamas could be cajoled, pressured or bribed into releasing the remaining Israeli hostages. But there's little sign that will work. The problem is not an insufficient number of Israeli concessions. The problem is that there is little sign Hamas is willing to give up its best remaining bargaining chips. In April, when a potential pause in fighting and an exchange of Palestinian prisoners in Israel for 40 women or sick or elderly men being held hostage was being negotiated, Hamas said it didn't have 40 hostages who matched that description. Nor is there reason to think that if Hamas agreed to a ceasefire, it would last very long. Hamas broke ceasefires with Israel in 2003, 2007, and 2008. Hamas broke at least nine short-lived truces in 2014. The Biden administration, and much of the world, are sitting and waiting for Hamas - a U.S.-designated terrorist organization - to suddenly have a change of heart and become much more reasonable negotiators. These are the same guys who still regularly promise to "bring annihilation upon the Jews." How many different times and ways does Hamas have to say it?
2024-06-11 00:00:00
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