Hamas Says No

We’re told in a report from i24news.tv that Hamas is rejecting an offer from Egypt, one which they rejected:

Hamas refused an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire with Israel, citing the requirement that Palestinian factions disarm.

The offer was confirmed and seen by Hamas:

A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera on Monday that Egypt recently presented a new cease-fire proposal that includes a 45-day truce in exchange for the entry of food and shelter into the Gaza Strip.

The details of the deal are now known as well:

Half of the Israeli hostages would be released in the first week, the Egyptian plan stipulated. Hamas is demanding that Israel end the war, but Cairo has made it clear in its proposal that any long term end to the fighting depends on Hamas disarming.

And the details of the response are also detailed for us:

On the other hand, Hamas asserted that its disarmament is not open for negotiation, and that the Israeli military must withdraw from Gaza. They also responded by stressing that any agreement must begin with a cease-fire and an Israeli withdrawal, not disarmament, which they say is not up for negotiation. According to the official, the proposal conditions extending the truce and continuing humanitarian aid on the return of all Israeli hostages – both living and deceased – by the end of the 45-day period.

If I was told about the deal I could have easily told Egypt that Hamas will not agree to any offer that has them disarming. Unless the terrorists agree to do that there will be no deal. The hubris of Hamas to want to survive after what they did on October 7th of 2023 is astounding. You simply can’t expect to get away with those atrocities and the continued abuse of the hostages without paying a price. As long as Netanyahu is in charge, they will not be allowed to rule anywhere in Israel and most likely not live to do anything once Israel is done with them. Only people who are antisemitic can’t see this. Also, I’m not surprised that Hamas is rejecting any deal now. They may release the hostages that Israel is asking for but wanting 45 more days to exist is too much. Once Israel gets half of the remaining live hostages I personally think they will rescue the rest and then hammer Hamas until they are totally eliminated.

They Know Where They Are

In an article from The Times Of Israel we read that Israel knows where the hostages are right now:

Since the IDF resumed operations in Gaza, hostage families have been concerned the fighting will endanger the lives of their loved ones.

Ruhama Bohbot, mother of hostage Elkana Bohbot, said Monday that Netanyahu had told her “with full confidence” that Israel knows where the hostages are being held.

Such a statement is also fraught with issues especially if no rescue happens or fails. Regardless, the IDF is avoiding those areas for good reason:

Bohbot told Army Radio that the premier stated Israeli forces are staying away from those areas, so as not to endanger the captives.

Another hostage relative spoke out about two other hostages:

Also, in a video addressed to Netanyahu on Monday, Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, said: “My son Matan has been held in a tunnel together with the soldier who holds American citizenship, Edan Alexander, who is expected to be released first in any deal. According to medical information in my possession, Matan was kidnapped while likely suffering from a form of muscular dystrophy that affects most of our family members. Due to the harsh conditions of captivity and the stress he is under, we know his condition has deteriorated.”

Zangauker is rightfully concerned for her son:

She said Matan is “shackled in heavy chains, unable even to stand up in the tunnel that is lower than his height. He is going through a holocaust. There is serious concern for Matan’s well-being if he remains alone in the tunnel. The isolation will lead to further deterioration and will be a death sentence for Matan.”

She also made it clear that both men should be released at the same time and, as I noted earlier, there will consequences if that isn’t the case:

Zangauker demanded that “if there is a deal in which Edan is released, then Matan — who is held with him — must also be released. Matan will not survive alone, and he must be brought out. He is the most humanitarian case among the hostages. If Matan is abandoned to die alone in the tunnel, all of Israel will know that the prime minister deliberately chose to hand down a death sentence on a citizen who was kidnapped from his home in his pajamas — purely out of personal vengeance against his family.”

I have to say that hearing that Israel knows where the hostages are gives me hope that a rescue mission is in the offing even if the number of released hostages is lowered. And I’m not ruling out that the US won’t help the IDF do it since there is still one American-Israeli hostage being held. But there will be no deal where Hamas survives and that may be the poison pill in these discussions. Everyone knows it and it isn’t news for those of us who have been following this war. Hamas, like Iran know how to stall and that is all they are doing right now. But there’s a new sheriff in town with Trump and the stalling won’t work anymore. Pray that he will know when enough is enough. And pray for the peace of Jerusalem.