Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluegrassplayer
Even if it literally was "we will release the hostages and you pretend nothing happened", it's a truly depraved offer that seeks to take advantage of the families of the kidnapped and Israel's high regard for Israeli life.
Imagine the incentive structure this creates when someone can commit a terrorist act of this scale and then go away unpunished as long as they take hostages.
Hamas's "offer" on October 10th was probably pretty similar to the one they are making now. That is Israel completely ends hostilities, hands over thousands of prisoners, allows unlimited aid in, and unilaterally agrees not to attack Hamas for 5 years. And in return Hamas will makes plans to release hostages in stages at some unspecified later date.
Also, I doubt there are many live hostages to even give back by this point. Possibly single digits, and possible no women or children.