For almost seven months now, Israeli men, women and children are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. Some of these hostages were released in a “deal” with Hamas, some were pronounced dead by Hamas, some were freed by the Israeli army and some were killed by mistake by Israeli soldiers, but still one hundred and thirty three people are being held in Gaza, and it is unclear how many of these are still alive.
Discussions on a new deal with Hamas have been ongoing and the controversy is focused on Israel going to attack Rafiah (the last stronghold of Hamas) or agreeing to a new deal. And even if the negotiations talk about the release of thirty-three hostages only, the majority in Israel believes this is necessary, even if it means that Israel needs to promise not to enter Rafiah.
But the Israeli government, with Netanyahu at its head, has dragged its feet for months and in particular the prime minister has looked at options for the release of the hostages only as a way to keep his government in power. Some of the ministers, who would topple the government if their demands are not met, are against a “capitulation” to Hamas and demand not to stop the war even if this means no deal with Hamas and no release of any hostages. Minister Struck, went so far as to declare that the lives of twenty-two or thirty-three hostages are not worth stopping the war. Her fascist colleagues in the government, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich also have made it very clear that accepting a deal with Hamas now, would mean the end of the government.
Hamas has been extremely vague about the number of hostages they will be willing to release, and this has two major reasons. Hamas has used and is still using the hostages as a human shield to protect it leaders and for Hamas the hostages are the major advantage they currently have over Israel and only assurances that Israel will not enter Rafiah, and stop the war, will convince them that the hostages are no longer required and can be released. Another reason Hamas has been vague in its dealing appears to be, as was reported in American news media, that they have a hard time coming up with forty hostages who are still alive. (The Israeli government doesn’t know this???)
So, which of the goals of the war, as declared repeatedly by Netanyahu to be release of the hostages and complete destruction of Hamas, needs to receive priority?
After more than six months of war, in which the Israeli army destroyed Hamas units in north and central Gaza there is no indication that Hamas is collapsing. And this does not even concern Rafiah, which is now being presented as a must, if Israel wants to win the war. In north Gaza, Israel has repeatedly been forced to return because underground, Hamas is still pulling the strings. In the southern city of Khan Yunis, immediately after the Israeli army left the city, Hamas returned and even directed the cleaning up of the city. Israel may have destroyed or damaged 40% of the buildings in Gaza and killed tens of thousands of people (innocent or not) but Hamas has not been eradicated and will return to control the Gaza strip the moment Israel withdraws its army.
It has been clear to most, both politician and army officer that the complete destruction of Hamas is an unattainable goal, even though most are not willing to say this aloud for fear of Netanyahu’s repercussion. Is Netanyahu with his “absolute” victory, which will just prolong the war, indeed serving his own needs, knowing that the moment the war will end there will be elections and his career will come to an end?.
It is high time people come to their senses, stop listening to Netanyahu and his fascist friends, and come to the conclusion that the war goals were a scandal from the beginning, and that waiting any longer, will make the rescue of the hostages an impossible task.
The famous Jewish saying “he who saves one life, is saving the entire world” should guide Struck, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, now more than ever before. Or maybe in their eyes, the lives of kibutznikim and youngsters desecrating the Sabbath by dancing and partying, aren’t worth saving?
I hope you found this article interesting and I welcome any comments you may have.
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