Recap:Hamas released three Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals as part of the latest phase in the ongoing hostage negotiations. The move comes amid intense diplomatic efforts to secure further releases and end the war.
The Context:
· The war with Hamas began on October 7th, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military operation aimed at destroying Hamas in Gaza. As the conflict escalated, so did mounting international pressure for a ceasefire.
· In late 2023, a deal was brokered that saw the release of 108 hostages however, further negotiations collapsed in early 2024, with Hamas refusing to negotiate without Israel agreeing to end the war in Gaza. Israel continued its military campaign, decimating Hamas’s military capabilities and taking out its senior leadership. After the US elections, then President- Elect Trump said “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if the hostages weren’t released before his inauguration on January 20th, bringing to life negotiations that stalled in the twilight of the Biden presidency.
· The January 17th deal consists of three-phases to take place over a span of six weeks. The first phase, which is already in progress, will see the release of 33 hostages, including women and children, men ages 50 and above, and injured civilians. Eight of the remaining Israeli hostages set to be released are dead. Israel will release 1,904 prisoners, including 737 serving life sentences. The 65 remaining hostages will only be freed if Israel agrees to a permanent end to the war and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. The third phase would see the return of remaining hostages' bodies in exchange for a Gaza reconstruction plan. While some Palestinian prisoners are being released back to Palestinian controlled territories, the worst offenders are being exiled to Qatar and Turkey.
· National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced his departure from the coalition in protest. Ben Gvir condemned the deal, saying, “this is not what ‘total victory’ looks like – this is what total surrender looks like." Many of the deal’s critics say the release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and creates an incentive for future kidnappings. Supporters of the deal argue that considering the state’s failures on October 7th, it is obligated to bring the hostage’s home. Opposition leader Yair Lapid promised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “a political safety net for a hostage deal” should his coalition partners threaten to bring down the government.
Conversation Points:
· Should Israel agree to a permanent ceasefire in exchange for the remaining hostages?
· How should Israel balance the urgency of rescuing hostages with the need to protect its citizens from future attacks?
· What measures can Israel implement to prevent released prisoners from reengaging in terrorist activities?
Notes:
· "Hamas to release 3 Israelis, 5 Thais this week in hostage deal, Israeli official says" — PBS NewsHour, January 29, 2025
· "Qatar, Turkey to host Palestinian murder convicts freed in hostage deal – officials" — Times of Israel, January 28, 2025
· "Netanyahu under fire as hostage deal sparks political tensions" — Jerusalem Post, January 28, 2025
· "Hamas to release three Israeli hostages Thursday as part of deal" — CNN, January 29, 2025
· "Inside the failed ceasefire talks of early 2024" — ABC News, January 30, 2025
· "Israel’s military pressure and the path to negotiations" — Foreign Affairs, January 31, 2025
· "Political fallout: Israeli coalition faces fractures over hostage deal" — Ynet, January 29, 2025
· "Ben Gvir quits Netanyahu coalition over hostage deal" — ABC News, January 30, 2025
· "Lapid backs hostage deal despite political turmoil" — Ynet, January 31, 2025
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