Hamas released three prisoners Saturday as part of a planned prisoner swap. In exchange for three Western hostages, Alexander Sasha Troufanov, Sagui Dekel Chen, and Iair Horn, Hamas gained freedom for 369 murderers, rapists, and terrorists. This exchange was something of a question mark until Saturday morning. Monday, Hamas canceled the planned exchange because of alleged but unspecified Israeli violations of the cease-fire; True to Form: Hamas Delays Hostage Release, Claims Israel Violated Ceasefire Terms – RedState
This resulted in a ratcheting of tensions as President Trump declared all hostages had to be released by noon Saturday or “all Hell is going to break out;” see ‘All Hell is Going to Break Out’: Trump Puts Hamas on Notice in Fiery Oval Office Remarks – RedState. Hamas treated the response as a joke (Hamas Makes Laughable Reply to Trump’s Demand for Hostage Release – RedState) until Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that he was squarely with Trump; Bibi on Board: Israeli Cabinet Backs Trump Ultimatum to Hamas on Hostages, Netanyahu Makes Statement – RedState. At that point, Hamas reconsidered its options and announced the exchange would take place; NEW: Hamas Agrees to Resume Hostage Release Plan — Will It Be Enough to Meet Trump’s Ultimatum? – RedState.
The agreement to accept three hostages rather than insist on Trump’s ultimatum had the potential to make Trump look like a paper tiger. In his comments on the release, he made it clear that it was Netanyahu who called the shots and accepted the release, not him.
Hamas has just released three Hostages from GAZA, including an American Citizen. They seem to be in good shape! This differs from their statement last week that they would not release any Hostages. Israel will now have to decide what they will do about the 12:00 O’CLOCK, TODAY, DEADLINE imposed on the release of ALL HOSTAGES. The United States will back the decision they make!
So, the cease-fire holds for now, but my sense is that Trump and Netanyahu are running out of patience, and having doubts about the fate of those who are supposed to be still alive.
