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Israel demands return of slain hostages without Hamas ceremony

Possible scenarios in the conflict with Hamas: negotiations over Phase B, extension of Phase A, or an unprecedented military escalation supported by the United States.

Demonstrators in front of the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, February 22, 2025. Photo: Erik Marmor/Flash90
Demonstrators in front of the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, February 22, 2025. Photo: Erik Marmor/Flash90

Israel has informed the mediators of the Gaza ceasefire that it is prepared to free the 602 prisoners whose release has been delayed since Saturday if Hamas returns the four slain hostages slated to be turned over later this week—on the condition that no degrading ceremony take place, as happened during the release of the Bibas family and Oded Lifschitz.

An Israeli representative stated: “If Hamas returns the fallen hostages today, we will release the prisoners today.” The decision to temporarily suspend the release of prisoners was a response to the degrading scenes during earlier prisoner exchanges and to the violation of Israel’s national dignity.

Israel no longer wants to see scenes like this. Handover of Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip on February 22, 2025. Photo: Ali Hassan/Flash90.

Three possible scenarios for Hamas

Israel has made clear that it will fully achieve its war objectives. The dismantling of Hamas’s military and administrative capabilities can occur in three ways:

  1. Negotiations over Phase B

    In the coming days, negotiations on the next phase of the conflict could begin. Israel is demanding:

    • The release of all hostages.
    • The full disarmament of Hamas.
    • The demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
    • The departure of Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders to another country—following the model of the PLO leadership’s departure from Beirut in 1982.

    Should Hamas agree to these conditions, the war could end.

  2. Rejection of Phase B—Israel turns to intensive combat

    If Hamas rejects these conditions, Israel will pursue its objectives militarily. This means an unprecedented escalation, with a new chief of staff, modern weapons systems, and extensive American support.

    “The war will be intense, and we will destroy Hamas’s military and administrative capabilities—while taking the humanitarian situation into consideration. What was, will no longer be.”

  3. Extension of Phase A

    If Hamas does not agree to Phase B but continues to release more hostages, Israel may be willing to extend the current ceasefire. However, Israel emphasizes: “There will be no ceasefire unless we get more hostages back.”

    In this scenario, Israel could demand the release of the four slain hostages as well as additional wounded or sick hostages. Negotiations on new conditions would then follow, and Hamas would likely insist on freeing a larger number of prisoners and expanding humanitarian aid.

A high-ranking Israeli official made it clear: “Hamas must choose among three options: Phase B under Israeli conditions, an extension of Phase A with further hostage releases, or an escalation in the fighting.”

 

US support for Israel’s course

The White House’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will travel to the region on Wednesday. He is expected to visit Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. He is currently in talks with Israeli minister Ron Dermer, who is in the United States.

Israel and the US agree that Hamas must no longer be part of Gaza’s governance. In the coming days, an Israeli delegation is expected to travel to Cairo or Qatar to discuss the next steps.

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Patrick Callahan

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One response to “Israel demands return of slain hostages without Hamas ceremony”

  1. AGR says:

    Israel needs to put an ID chip in every prisoner they release to Hamas that can be identified up to a certain distance from a monitor. Perhaps put a small explosive device in it as it would be placed next to an artery to be set off should the person wearing it be found with terrorists. Also, it should go off with any attempt to remove it.
    Just an old man thinking about how to deal with terrorists, since they are such nice people.

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