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Hamas has agreed to release only 22 of the 34 hostages demanded by Israel, defying international expectations. The world should not tolerate this stance. The October 7 attack should never have happened; no hostages should have been taken. Hamas, which has held these hostages for 15 months, continues to refuse their release, claiming victimhood.
President Trump, unfazed by Hamas’s tactics, strongly criticized their use of hostages as bargaining tools during a January 1 speech. “Hamas killed 45 Americans on October 7 and abducted 12 others,” Trump emphasized. He issued a stern warning, giving Hamas until his inauguration on January 20 to release all hostages.
Hamas supporters on social media falsely allege Israel’s reluctance to free the hostages, citing a purported rejection of a release proposal on October 8. However, this so-called offer was conditioned on an immediate ceasefire—a clear ploy to evade accountability. Since the conflict began, over 45,000 Gazans have died, losses that could have been prevented had Hamas not initiated the attack or taken hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated unequivocally that military operations will continue post-hostage releases. On January 1 alone, Israel reportedly eliminated over 60 militants. If Hamas believes its hostage strategy is controlling Israel, it is a miscalculation.
Internationally, concerns about Israel’s post-war plan persist. While defeating Hamas could ensure long-term peace, a negotiated solution carries the risk of future conflict if Hamas reorganizes. Hamas shows no sign of surrender, but achieving this outcome may require coordinated global efforts and involvement from Arab states. A surrender agreement would need to address the fate of Hamas leadership and ensure comprehensive demilitarization of Gaza.
President Trump has reaffirmed his intention to hold Hamas accountable, promising severe consequences if the hostages remain captive after January 20. His assertive approach, contrasting sharply with current policies, highlights a commitment to resolving this crisis.
With just weeks until Trump’s inauguration, the world awaits Hamas’s response to mounting pressure from a soon-to-be decisive U.S. administration.
