Alerts

Will Hamas Be Emboldened by the Hostage Deal?

Hamas should win no prize or gain legitimacy for its negotiations
Share this
Israeli women still held hostage
Israeli women still held hostage (Hostages and Missing Families Forum)

Table of Contents

The events of the October 7, 2023, massacre, the systematic rape, torture, wanton murder of men, women, children, babies, and the elderly, and the kidnapping of hostages provided a shocking insight into the barbarism of the Gazan terrorists. A new Israeli initiative has provided additional proof of the unimaginable evil that guides their actions.

Since the massacre, Israel has targeted the entirety of the extensive terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. From the outset, Israel’s goals were clear: Destroy Hamas, both as a fighting force and as a governance body, and free the hostages.

During the last year, Israel has substantially progressed in dismantling Hamas. The goal of freeing the hostages has, however, remained elusive. Of the 250 hostages taken during the massacre, some were released in return for a few days of ceasefire and the release of Palestinian terrorists, some were freed in daring IDF operations, others were murdered in captivity by the terrorists, and three were tragically killed by IDF forces. As of December 15, 2024, the terrorists continued to hold 100 people hostage,1 of whom an estimated 60 are still alive.2

Recognizing the difficulty of locating and freeing the hostages, and more so specifically on the backdrop of the execution of six hostages as IDF soldiers closed in on their position, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu announced, on November 20, 2024, that Israel would give a reward of $5,000,000, free passage out of the devastated Gaza Strip, and immunity to anyone (and their immediate family) who freed a live hostage.3

If the reports of sundry United Nations organizations and other actors are to be even partially believed, Gaza has been thoroughly destroyed and the entire Strip faces a precarious humanitarian situation. South Africa, at the behest of its Iranian paymaster, has even claimed (falsely) that Israel is committing “genocide” in the Strip. Other actors have claimed that Gaza is facing starvation and a host of miscellaneous immediate and life-threatening challenges.

Why Would Hamas and Gazans Reject a Cash Reward?

In normal circumstances, given the situation in the embattled Strip, one would assume that the offer of a huge financial reward (to a population that has suffered alleged severe poverty for years), together with immunity from prosecution, and the promise of relocation would present an opportunity for throngs of Gazans to pressure the terrorists into releasing the hostages. Freeing the hostages would not only allow the terrorists to get rich and flee the area but also to substantially promote an end to the military operations.

Instead of seizing the opportunity, on November 30, 2024, Hamas published a video of Israeli-American hostage Idan Alexander, in Hebrew and English, entitled “Soon…Time is running out.” In the video, Idan even mentioned the reward offered.

The unimaginable evil of the Gazan terrorists and those who surround them is such that they are not even trying to reap the opportunity presented by Netanyahu. For them, abusing the hostages, using them as leverage to prevent Israel from destroying Hamas and to force the release of hundreds, potentially thousands, of other terrorists, is more important than their own lives, the lives of their families, and even the lives of the other Gazans, still suffering the consequences of the massacre.

Evil of this kind is not human nature, but rather a product of Palestinian nurture. The terrorists who participated in the October 7 massacre and those who are today holding the hostages are not the product of Hamas alone. Rather they are the product of three decades of the Palestinian Authority brainwashing hatred of Israel and dehumanization of Israelis.

Thus, when discussing the future of the Gaza Strip, Israel stressed that the PA would play no further role and would not again be allowed to promulgate its hateful indoctrination of Gazans. The explanation was simple: If the PA returned to governing the Strip, Israel would be condemning itself to suffer the October 7 massacre, sooner or later, over and over again.

Herein, however, lies the problem. As the Gazan terrorists, including those holding the hostages, look at Israel’s policies, they are faced with contradictory messages.

On the one hand, in Gaza, Israel has justifiably identified the PA as the source of the violence and terror. On the other hand, in Judea and Samaria, Israel not only continues to cooperate with the same PA but even continues providing it with hundreds of millions of shekels a month.4

In Gaza, while repeatedly committing to destroying Hamas, Israel has adopted and maintained two policies that undermine that goal.

First, Israel has allowed the genocidal terror organization to continue fulfilling a significant role in the distribution of humanitarian aid. As a result, Hamas has maintained its dominance over the population and even benefitted financially.5

Second, Israel is actively engaged (albeit through intermediaries) in negotiations with Hamas to free the hostages.

While freeing the hostages is, of course, of the utmost importance, the public information about the emerging deal seems to suggest that Hamas will be awarded a substantial prize, with Israel’s agreement to cease some of the fighting in Gaza and release hundreds, potentially even thousands, of terrorists, including murderers.

The combined effect of these policies means that Hamas will continue to play a central governance role in the Gaza Strip and will not only be financially enriched but also be emboldened in Palestinian society as the freer of terrorists.

The war with Hamas and the other Gazan terrorists is not solely kinetic. Rather, it is also a war of perception. Thus, irrespective of Israel’s public statements, as long as the Gazan population continues to identify Israel’s policies on the ground as ostensibly undermining its commitment to destroy Hamas, no real change will be achieved.

Going forward, to achieve its goals, Israel will need to change its policies. In addition to the military pressure, which should be increased, Israel must take effective control of the distribution of humanitarian aid to the Gazan population and rethink the consequences of providing the Hamas terrorists with the rewards of forcing Israel to release terrorists. Looking to Judea and Samaria, Israel should also re-evaluate its position regarding the continued cooperation with the PA.

* * *

Notes

Lt.-Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch

Lt.-Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch served as Director of the Military Prosecution for Judea and Samaria. Since retiring from the IDF, Hirsch worked as the Head of Legal Strategies for Palestinian Media Watch, as a Senior Military Consultant for NGO Monitor, an advisor to the Ministry of Defense, and head of an advisory committee in the Ministry of Interior. Hirsch was the architect of the Israeli law that strips citizenship from Israeli terrorists who have been convicted for terror offenses, sentenced to a custodial sentence, and receive a payment from the Palestinian Authority as a reward for their acts of terror.
Share this

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
Canada investigating Israeli-Canadian IDF soldiers?
JCFA senior researcher, Amb. Alan Baker slams the probe as a “political PR stunt with no legal basis.” “This isn’t justice—it’s a betrayal. Canada is siding with PLO propaganda over facts.”
11:29am
The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close