If it makes no difference either way then they should free the hostages simply because it’s the right thing to do…
It really shouldn’t be hard or controversial to support the innocent people on both sides of this horrible war. Free the damn hostages and stop the bombings.
The hostages are there for a reason, and that’s to give Hamas more leverage during the eventual ceasefire negotiations. There are Palestinian prisoners they need to release and goods they need to get through the blockade, among other things.
So you’re saying they need them for a ceasefire deal? Then why no negotiations for a ceasefire?
a reason, and that’s to give Hamas more leverage during the eventual ceasefire negotiations
I don’t find “leverage” and political bargaining to be a good reason to take innocent people hostage.
But even if I did, I think Hamas has a pretty fucking terrible track record of negotiating anything on the behalf of Palestinians. The October 7th terror attacks brought Gaza from the frying pan into the fire, and I doubt there will be anything resembling a ceasefire until the hostages are freed.
The morally right thing for Hamas to do is to free the hostages and to turn over anybody who was involved in the October 7th terror attacks. The morally right thing for Israel to do is to implement an immediate ceasefire, facilitate aide into Gaza, and call back all illegal settlers in the West Bank. Will either side do the right thing? I don’t know, probably not, but I can only hope.
I don’t find “leverage” and political bargaining to be a good reason to take innocent people hostage.
It is when that political bargaining is necessary to get people out of permanent “administrative detention”, and when people need… Well, basically everything (including food and water) in Gaza (that’s always the case because of the blockade). Remember that half of Gazans are malnourished.
But even if I did, I think Hamas has a pretty fucking terrible track record of negotiating anything on the behalf of Palestinians.
They don’t, though. Remember Sheikh Jarrah? Hamas takes hostages because it’s the only thing that works.
