TEL AVIV—Israeli forces have taken control of much of northern Gaza—at least the parts that are above ground. Beneath the strip’s devastated urban landscape, Hamas still reigns.
The war is entering a new phase, as the Israeli military takes its fight underground and into Gaza’s legendary subterranean tunnel network.
Israel’s extreme response is because Hamas killed roughly one thousand innocent lives and also captured civilian and military hostages. How do you get them back while responding to the attack?
You pick up the phone and negotiate a hostage exchange.
You say, meet us at this spot tomorrow with 10 of the oldest and youngest hostages you’ve got and we’ll do the same. If it goes well, we’ll talk about doing another exchange the next day.
That’s what Hamas wants. That’s what they’ve usually taken and returned hostages for. Hamas released two hostages so far in the weeks this has been going on. How come someone negotiated for 2 and then stopped there?