Since the end of November, when fighting resumed in Gaza following a week-long ceasefire, Hamas has demanded the total cessation of the war and the complete Israeli withdrawal from the Strip as unequivocal conditions for the release of any more Israeli hostages. Nearly seven months later, Hamas still publicly insists on these conditions — but it is highly doubtful whether the group genuinely believes that the hostages provide the leverage required to pressure Israel to end its onslaught.
Since then, Israel has freed a total of six hostages through two military operations, which together killed some 350 Palestinians. IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari admitted after the recent operation in Nuseirat that “we will not be able to return all the hostages through rescue operations.” Yet rather than agreeing to a deal that would release the remaining hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist on the continuation of the war until the “elimination of Hamas” — which Hagari, again, admitted just last week is an impossible goal. ….more