Why Hamas Won’t Release Hostages
Deal or no deal? In the early days of Israel’s counteroffensive against Hamas, the terrorist group begged for a breather. It released 105 hostages for a seven-day pause and some low-level prisoners. But Hamas has since turned down two offers for a pause in the fighting, each one more generous than the last.
What changed? After the terrorist group brushed aside an Egyptian proposal over Christmas weekend, Hamas Politburo member Izzat al Rishq explained, “There can be no negotiations without a complete stop to the aggression"—an end to the war. On Dec. 20, in rejecting an Israeli offer, Politburo member Ghazi Hamad said Hamas is no longer interested in “a pause here and there, for one week, two weeks, three weeks," even though Israel was ready to release senior Hamas terrorists as well.
A sobering explanation is offered by Meir Ben Shabbat, Israel’s national security adviser from 2017 to 2021. He writes that Hamas now “feels confident enough" to reject any deal that doesn’t deliver it victory outright. That confidence may be misguided, but it isn’t unfounded.
“While the conditions under which our forces operate are more difficult than in the past," Mr. Ben Shabbat explains, “for Hamas fighters, things have improved." Under Biden Administration pressure, Israel is now using less firepower to prepare its advances on the ground. This leaves more opportunities for Hamas to ambush Israeli soldiers.
In between hit-and-run attacks, the terrorists hide in well-stocked tunnels. “Hamas gets to have de facto control over most of the aid entering the strip," Mr. Ben Shabbat writes.
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