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Hamas Celebrates as Israelis Release Terrorists to Bring Hostages Home

(Washington Times) Clifford D. May - As the ceasefire-for-hostages agreement went into effect, Hamas terrorists - now wearing uniforms and green headbands, no longer disguising themselves as civilians - ascended from their multimillion-dollar tunnels, held their weapons high, and rode through the streets of Gaza in fully fueled vehicles. Actual civilians also were out on the streets celebrating. In online videos you can see that they're well-fed and energetic. Many have cell phones and some carry fancy cameras. Do these people look like victims of genocide? Those saying this deal is a step toward peace are sadly mistaken. Senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya told Al Jazeera on Jan. 15, "We will proceed on the path of the martyred leaders until we achieve victory or martyrdom." He called the Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of Israel and the massacre that followed a "military miracle" and a "source of pride." Ask yourself: Does it sound like Israel's enemies are interested in a two-state solution? Hamas is not a legitimate negotiating partner with grievances that deserve to be addressed and differences that can be bridged. Is it not both immoral and demoralizing for American diplomats to prod the citizens of a free and democratic ally to compromise with openly genocidal Islamic supremacist terrorists? On Oct. 6, 2023, Gaza was not occupied. No Israelis lived there. No Israeli soldiers patrolled there. Gaza was not then an "open-air prison" as Hamas manipulated the media to report. Gaza had hospitals, schools, libraries, malls, supermarkets, restaurants, a zoo, and sandy beaches. Members of Gaza's elite lived in villas with swimming pools and could come and go via neighboring Egypt. Hamas leaders could have brought a halt to this war at any time by simply releasing its hostages and laying down their weapons. The writer is founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
2025-01-23 00:00:00
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