Hamas Refuses Hostage Release
Hamas Refuses Hostage Release
Low Prospects for Agreement
In a heartbreaking development, Hamas has continued to withhold the release of Israeli and American hostages, holding their lives as pawns in a deadly standoff. Hamas’s focus appears to lie solely on preserving its Muslim Brotherhood-aligned movement within Israel and Gaza, placing its ideological goals above the lives of not-so-innocent civilians (save the children). Gazans and the hostages are used as human shields in a strategy aimed at obstructing Israel’s rescue efforts.
Reports from Israeli intelligence are particularly heartbreaking, revealing that only 51 out of the remaining 101 hostages might still be alive. Survivors of past Hamas captivity have recounted harrowing details of torture, starvation, and unimaginable violence. Each hour matters, and the urgency of securing the release of those still living has never been clearer. To rescue these hostages, America must show steadfast support for Israel to take whatever actions are necessary to secure their safe return before it’s too late.
Blinken: Hamas rejects Egyptian ceasefire proposal
JNS | 11-5-24 | Condensed
Cairo's plan would have seen four Israeli hostages and 100 Palestinian terrorists released over a 10-day period after an initial 48-hour pause in fighting.
The Hamas terrorist group in Gaza has rejected an Egyptian proposal for a short-term ceasefire in exchange for the release of four Israeli hostages, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Speaking with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Monday, Blinken said, “Hamas has once again refused to release even a limited number of hostages to secure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza,” according to a State Department readout of the call.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had put forward a 12-day proposal at the end of October that would have started with a 48-hour ceasefire followed by Hamas releasing four captives over the next 10 days, two Arab diplomats told The Times of Israel on Monday.
Another proposal from Doha last week reportedly involved the release of 11 hostages in exchange for a one-month ceasefire, with priority given to living female captives.
During talks in Doha at the end of last month, CIA Director Bill Burns reportedly proposed a 28-day ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for Hamas releasing eight hostages and Israel freeing dozens of Palestinian prisoners.
Mossad Director David Barnea told relatives of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in a recent meeting that the prospects for even a small agreement with the terrorist group are low, as Hamas has not changed its demands from July that include an end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israel troops.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said that Jerusalem will not agree to end the war against Hamas.
Fifty-one out of the 101 hostages still being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip are alive, according to the latest Israeli intelligence assessments.
The premier on Monday presented a new proposal that would see Israel pay millions of dollars for each hostage in exchange for safe passage abroad for the captors and their families, Channel 12 reported on Monday.
Netanyahu previewed this type of proposal in a statement following the killing of Hamas terror leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza on Oct. 16.
“To the Hamas terrorists, I say—your leaders are fleeing and will be eliminated. I call on anyone holding our hostages: lay down your weapons and return our hostages, and we will allow you to leave and live. At the same time, I say that anyone who harms our hostages will pay with his life, and we will settle accounts with him.”
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Thank you, Brigitte, for this accurate report. Bibi is 100% correct, and his response is based on the reality that Hamas does not care about the lives of their own people because they would prefer to use them as human shields. Bibi follows the same principles that Ronald Reagan followed when he entered office and brought home the hostages from Iran. It is not a time to sound cold and callous, but Hamas has no intention of releasing hostages, and those who continue to hold the hostages and victimize their own people will pay a dear price. In war, one must accept the loss of the hostages as something that cannot be avoided if Israel is to eliminate Hamas. The only way the hostages will be free is if Israel is able to mount some covert actions to rescue them, but it seems that Hamas places no value on any life. They must be eliminated, and Hezbollah must suffer the same fate if Israel is to survive.
Brigette, thank you as always 🙏. I stand with BiBi Netanyahu, the IDF and the Israeli people 1000%, as an American. Thank God that President TRUMP will be working with BiBi and Israel as our newly established President. This grandma stands with all Israelis, SHALOM and peace.