How Hamas and Israel “Negotiate” Over Hostages
In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack that began on October 7th, Hamas terrorists have captured at least 150 hostages, mostly civilians. As some Americans call for a ceasefire and negotiation (since when does the United States negotiate with terrorists?), despite the total lack of demands from Hamas, despite its founding charter clearly forbidding peace or negotiation, as rocket fire continues, the world looks on and wonders if peace is possible. But these are not Hamas’s first hostages.
No example is stronger in Israeli memory than Gilad Shalit. Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas in 2006 — after the occupation of Gaza ended in 2005, and before the long-standing blockade began in 2007. For over five years, Hamas kept Shalit prisoner, denying him any communication with his family, and denying visits from the the Red Cross. Israel released twenty prisoners just to receive a one-minute-long video proving that Shalit was alive in 2009.
Shalit’s 2011 release came at a cost. Israel released 1,027 prisoners in exchange for just one. Many of the prisoners were convicted terrorists or murderers, targeted civilians, or were held for other crimes; collectively, they were responsible for no less than 569 Israeli deaths. While the deal was the subject of much debate in Israel, the vast majority of Israelis supported the exchange. Some of the prisoners released in the exchange went on to repeat their offenses, killing more Israelis. Hamas was simply preying on the Jewish reverence for life.
Now, Hamas has at least 150 civilians. Perhaps it feels its leverage with Israel is stronger — especially if the United States were to insist, as some want, on a ceasefire. But just imagine the negotiations. Imagine they demand 1,047 prisoners in exchange for each hostage. At 150 hostages, that would be 157,050 prisoners in exchange. At the higher estimate of 200, it would be 209,400. Unfortunately, Israel has under 5,000 Palestinian prisoners to negotiate with. Hamas has not stated its terms because it does not have terms. It simply wants to keep the hostages. It truly wants to provoke war.
In the meantime, Hamas posts footage celebrating the way it indoctrinates Israeli children into Islam. Hamas is very likely raping a portion of the victims, as it did during the initial onslaught. Should Israel wait five more years, while babies grow up as hostages? How can these hostages be returned safely?
While UN Secretary-General António Guterres demands that Hamas unconditional release the hostages, many continue to release statements that fail to acknowledges hostages have even been taken, or that Hamas has done anything at all. Many — Sky News, Al Jazeera — continue to platform Hamas spokespeople while they deny civilians were ever targeted or ever attacked at all.
Israel wants its people returned safely. No negotiation will ever allow that to happen. Yes, war is a horrible thing. But at some point, there is no other option.
