Hamas has reportedly dropped much of their previous demands as those demands prevented any possibility of a deal. This happens as Israel is still advancing its plan to take over Gaza City.
Dr. A.J. Nolte, director of the Institute for Israel Studies at Regent University, commented on Washington Watch that the main thing to keep in mind is Hamas’ core interests.
“Obviously, one of their imperatives is always to try to cause as much pain for Israel as possible and to bring the fight to Israel. But ultimately to do that, they have to survive,” says Nolte. “So, what Netanyahu is basically threatening to go into a part of Gaza that they've never been into before.”
Nolte explains that there is a part of Gaza, Gaza City, that is completely controlled by Hamas, and, at minimum, they want to delay Israel from coming into their territory. He thinks Hamas may release some of the hostages but does not think it will be the deal that gets all the hostages released.
"I think realistically, I don't expect that. I don't think the Israelis expect that. I think they may be able to get some of them out,” Nolte says
He says that the question then is whether Hamas is still going to ask for some concessions beyond just delaying Israel's attack on Gaza City.
“But it may also be that Israel's attack on Gaza City is sufficient. I think it's absolutely a stall tactic. I think we know it. I think Israel knows it. I think to a certain extent Hamas knows that Israel knows it. But the question is not is it a stalling tactic? Because the answer is yes. The question is, 'How many hostages can Israel get back’?" Nolte concludes.
Less than two dozen hostages like Rom, a security guard taken at the Nova Music festival who has been starved and tortured, are still held captive in Gaze by Hamas.
