Enough negotiations, finish off Hamas and on to the next stage

Hamas is now in serious trouble and it becomes evident from at least two factors: first, there are credible reports suggesting the likely elimination of Abu Obaida, the long-time spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, who is believed to have been targeted by IDF strikes on September 6. The group’s anxious response to these reports, including urgent denials and warnings against spreading so-called “false rumors”, indicates a high level of internal concern and disruption. To cut it short, Hamas’ propaganda machine received a devastating blow.

Second, as the Gaza City offensive hit the initial phase, Hamas has suddenly shown a renewed willingness to engage in another farcical “agreement,” which appears to be yet another attempt to buy time, a tactic the organization has repeatedly employed since the onset of the conflict.

As reported by The Times of Israel, the Hamas statement released on Wednesday said that it was willing “to enter into a comprehensive deal in which all enemy prisoners held by the resistance will be freed in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners held by the occupation.” The terror group refers to the hostages it holds as prisoners. It also said that it was ready to form “an independent national administration of technocrats” to run Gaza.

We all know Hamas cannot be trusted, and it is a fact that the terrorists are not mentioning disarmament or leaving Gaza. What it is demanding, instead, is the release of Palestinian terrorists from Israeli prisons, and this is because Hamas is short of manpower. Hamas terrorists have also been shooting at those Palestinians who were trying to flee Gaza City and head south, because the organization needs human shields.

For those who delude themselves into thinking that Hamas will release all the hostages, it’s worth reminding them once again that it never will, because they are the only guarantee of survival. Without the “shield” of the hostages, Hamas is finished. It’s therefore pointless to continue negotiations that no longer make any sense.

US President Donald Trump himself has clearly ordered Hamas to release everyone and has also urged Netanyahu to proceed quickly with the final offensive in Gaza City, eradicating what remains of Hamas, because we must focus on the post-war stage.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has listed five conditions for the end of the war: the release of all hostages; the disarmament of Hamas; the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip; Israeli security control in Gaza; and “the establishment of an alternative civilian administration that does not indoctrinate for terror, does not dispatch terror, and does not threaten Israel.”

Obviously, Hamas will never accept these conditions because they imply the terrorist organization’s end. Hamas is simply trying to buy more time with the hope that someone will come to its aid. France and Belgium have already done so by announcing their intention to recognize the Palestinian state in September, a reward for Hamas and for the October 7^th massacre, unfortunately. The terrorists know that the longer the war goes on, the greater the pressure on Israel from certain Western countries, particularly European ones.

Hamas is in a position of extreme weakness now; the only thing to do is therefore to proceed with the offensive, eradicate what remains of Hamas, and put an end to the matter. Israel has everything to lose by further delaying its final offensive and getting bogged down in pointless negotiations that only serve to give Hamas some breathing room.