this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2024
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Hostages create internal turmoil against Netanyahu in the Israeli government. It also ensures that some aid actually reaches Gaza.
Except it's accomplished none of that. If anything, keeping the hostages reduces any anti-Netanyahu sentiment, as some people will view it as continued justification for the current war.
You still believe this genocide in Gaza has anything to do with hostages? The Israeli government delivers cash payments to Hamas because they need Hamas and they know it. The hostages are just an inconvenience the Israeli government doesn't want to deal with. The hostages could have all been released back in October if the Israelis really wanted it.
I never even implied that I believe that. In fact, I've said nothing about my feelings on the overall conflict.
All I've said is that I don't see why Hamas doesn't return them (independent of whatever the Israeli government is doing) and take the easy PR win. The hostages are one of the main things that tempering international and internal pressure on the Israeli government.