John Spencer
Great news. We should always take Hamas statements with caution and hesitation. Hamas must let all the hostages go, disarm, and agree to either surrender or leave the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip must be demilitarized, deradicalized, and governed by a power other than Hamas.
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian
Defense Minister Israel Katz says Hamas has returned to the hostage negotiation table after the IDF began its new offensive in the Gaza Strip. "With the launch of Operation Gideon's Chariots in Gaza, led with great force by the IDF command, the Hamas delegation in Doha announced a return to negotiations on a hostage deal, contrary to the refusal stance they had taken up until that moment," he says in a statement. Katz says Hamas returned to the talks without Israel resuming humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, "which are not required," and without a ceasefire. "The heroism of IDF soldiers, the unity of the people, and the determination of the political leadership increase the chances of bringing back the hostages," he adds.