Where are the hostages?
Families of missing Israelis become a potent political force
(Image: https://www.facebook.com/jstreetnyc/)
There is a new political force growing inside Israel, and it may offer the best chance to end the terrible bloodshed in Gaza.
Last weekend, tens of thousands of people rallied in Israeli cities, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to do more to secure the release of hostages still in the hands of Hamas. Nobody knows where they are, or even how many are still alive.
Families of the hostages seized by Hamas on October 7 and their growing number of supporters have been taking action. With accounts emerging from released captives of sexual assaults and torture at the hands of Hamas fighters, the rallies have grown even larger.
(Warning: disturbing images and descriptions)
The rallies are expanding even farther abroad, with groups from the political left and right planning a demonstration in New York City at the United Nations on Sunday, marking the six-month anniversary of the Hamas attacks.
Destroy or rescue: choose one
As Joseph Krauss of the Associated Press writes, Israel’s government “faces a dilemma that was clear from the start of the war and will ultimately determine its outcome: It can either try to annihilate Hamas, which would mean almost certain death for the estimated 100 hostages still held in Gaza, or it can cut a deal that would allow the militants to claim a historic victory.”
The surprise attack by Hamas fighters inside Israel on October 7 likely had two intents: shatter Israel’s sense of security and demonstrate Hamas’ strength through a shocking and bloody surprise attack, and take hostages as bargaining chips to release Palestinian prisoners and blunt the military reprisal on Gaza that they anticipated would follow.
More than 1,200 Israeli soldiers and civilians were killed, and 240 were taken hostage that day. Since then, over 100 hostages were released in November in a deal between Hamas and Israel in exchange for the return of Palestinian prisoners. A handful of hostages have been rescued, three escaped hostages were shot inexplicably by Israeli soldiers, and others have been killed in airstrikes.
But the horrifying war in Gaza has left Israel politically isolated as tens of thousands of civilians have been killed in Netanyahu’s pursuit of his goal of eliminating Hamas. Freeing the hostages is also a stated goal, but the two aims seem mutually exclusive.
Time is running out for the hostages, and Netanyahu
Protesters supporting hostages and their families began to call for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s resignation and new elections at last weekend’s major rallies, marking a shift in political strategy.
“As long as the war rages, [Netanyahu] can avoid early elections that polls strongly suggest would remove him from power. But it seems inevitable that at some point, a choice will have to be made between the hostages and military victory,” says Krauss.
That’s why time may be running out for Netanyahu, which could usher an end to the war and a deal to return the hostages.
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Announcement: New podcast coming in April
The first episode:
Military Manipulation
Does the Canadian Armed Forces try to influence public opinion through the media?
Canada’s then-top soldier, General Jonathan Vance, coined the phrase “the weaponization of Public Affairs.”
Many were surprised: Has the military been trying to influence public opinion? How are its efforts “weaponized?” Who is being targeted?
Join me as we dig deeper into Military Manipulation with Canada’s most influential defence reporter: David Pugliese.
A three-time National Newspaper Award recipient, Postmedia’s David Pugliese has covered Canada’s military and global conflicts since the darkest days of the Cold War.
Pugliese has forged a well-earned reputation for asking tough questions of politicians and generals and raising the ire of both. He’s distinguished himself amongst his peers by steadfastly refusing to accept awards from the arms industry and military associations, calling for higher journalistic standards in his profession to serve readers better.
Free tickets
I’m so excited to invite you to join the online Zoom audience for the taping of my first podcast for PeaceQuest on Tuesday, April 16, at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.
The ticket is absolutely free for all paid PeaceQuest subscribers and will be available on Wednesday, April 10.
If you’re a paid subscriber, I’ll send you information so you can claim your free ticket to the online Zoom recording session.
If you’re not a paid subscriber yet but are interested in Military Manipulation and want to hear it first, please become a paid subscriber. Subscriptions are only $5.50 each month or $55 per year.
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Thank you for everything you do for peace.
Steve
