Israel is caught in a dilemma between achieving total victory in the war against Hamas and freeing the Israeli hostages. According to all surveys, the majority of the Israeli population wants first to free the hostages and then destroy Hamas. How that is supposed to work is another matter, but that is the plan the public desires. Yesterday, the journalist Amit Segal asked the right-wing religious minister Orit Stroock whether, in her opinion, victory in the war is more important than the return of the last hostage. She answered: “I agree, victory in the war is more important.” Segal further clarified: “When choosing between ending the war and the return of all hostages, you say with a heavy heart— I, Minister Orit Stroock, will have to forgo some hostages in order to achieve the strategic victory over the Gaza Strip.” She replied: “I have been saying that for exactly ten years, that this must be the Israeli consensus.” Victory and destruction are national goals, but so is the freeing of the Israeli hostages. Why? Because Israel’s government and security apparatus...
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