John Spencer
A Warning to Hamas: ‘Let Hell Break Out’ Trump rightly puts the onus on the terrorists to free innocent hostages. @WSJ Maybe Hamas thinks it can now call the President’s bluff. “Trump must remember that there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties and this is the only way to return the prisoners,” a Hamas official said. “The language of threats has no value and further complicates matters.” Terrorists obviously don’t like being threatened by an American President, but credibility is crucial to deterrence. And what a change from the last White House. President Biden had endless time for Hamas to play games. Mr. Trump has none. It matters to have a President who says clearly that the onus is on Hamas to free the innocents it has held in appalling conditions since abducting them 494 days ago. By warning Hamas that the U.S. will support all hell breaking loose, Mr. Trump is offering Israel freedom of action, which could translate into negotiating leverage. The hard decisions about what to do next are up to Israelis and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His defense minister told the military to “prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza.” If Hamas doesn’t heed Mr. Trump’s warning, Israel and the U.S. will have little choice but to make Hamas believe it. https://www.wsj.com/opinion/donald-trump-hamas-hostages-israel-gaza-benjamin-netanyahu-1c772da0?st=muXme8&reflink=article_copyURL_share
