by: Ron Ben-Yishia ~ Ynetnews
Hamas has postponed the release of the remaining hostages in an attempt to pressure Israel into further negotiations for additional concessions (illustrative).
Wednesday, 12 February 2025 | Hamas’s decision to halt the scheduled hostage release on Saturday appears to be a pressure tactic aimed at pushing Israel into advancing negotiations for the second phase of the hostage deal in exchange for a ceasefire.
The group is likely not looking to collapse the agreement but rather to extract concessions from Israel and the mediators. Two key signs suggest that Hamas may reverse its decision by Saturday if it secures at least part of its demands:
The first indication is the timing of Hamas’s announcement. By making the dramatic declaration at the start of the week, the group has left ample time for mediators, the US and Israel to engage in negotiations that could ultimately lead Hamas to walk back its decision and proceed with the scheduled hostage release on Saturday.
Notably, Hamas has not stated that it is halting releases altogether—only postponing the upcoming exchange—suggesting that the crisis is time-limited. While such a crisis could escalate, Hamas appears intent on keeping it contained in scope and consequences. The tactic of creating a temporary crisis to gain leverage in negotiations is a well-known bargaining strategy.
The second sign lies in the source of the announcement. The decision to suspend the release was made public by the spokesman of Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, indicating that it originates from Hamas’s leadership in Gaza—specifically, Mohammed Sinwar and Gaza City Brigade commander Az al-Din al-Haddad.
This suggests that the move is orchestrated by Sinwar while the group’s external political leadership, which handles negotiations with mediators, has remained largely silent and uninvolved. It is even possible that Hamas’s political leaders abroad were unaware of the crisis manufactured by Gaza’s leadership as part of its attempt to extract concessions from Israel.
Meanwhile, Hamas issued a follow-up statement, effectively acknowledging that its initial announcement of halting the next hostage release does not derail the broader deal.
“The delay in releasing prisoners is a warning message to Israel and a means to pressure it into strictly adhering to the agreement,” the statement read. Hamas added that it intentionally made the announcement five days before the scheduled exchange to allow mediators time to press Israel to fulfill its commitments while keeping the door open for the release to proceed as planned.
In such a crisis, as created by Hamas’s announcement, immediate threats of military action—such as those made by Defense Minister Israel Katz—may not be the most effective response. Katz quickly warned of potential military action and said he had ordered the IDF to “prepare for all scenarios,” but instead of making public declarations, officials should first assess two key questions: What is Hamas truly seeking to achieve, and whether the crisis can be resolved without allowing the terrorist group to manipulate the deal to its advantage or gain psychological victories.
The overarching priority must remain the swift release of hostages—at least those still alive—without wasting time on empty threats or political posturing.
At the same time, Israel cannot afford to concede to Hamas’s demands beyond what is already outlined in the agreement, as doing so would invite continuous extortion throughout the negotiation process, further delaying hostage releases. This is where mediators, including officials from the US administration, particularly President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, should be mobilized to pressure Hamas into backing down before Saturday.
Hamas’s decision to halt the upcoming release is likely driven by deep concerns over what Israel and the US are planning for the second phase of the deal. Negotiations for that phase were supposed to begin last Monday, according to the agreement, but no progress has been made. In Israel, the Security Cabinet has yet to even convene on the matter.
Hamas, closely monitoring Israeli media, became aware that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had only planned to convene the Security Cabinet to discuss the second phase on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, the Israeli delegation sent to Doha—ostensibly to launch negotiations—was instead instructed to focus only on “technical issues related to the first phase.”
Hamas leaders in Gaza suspect that Israel intends to extend the first phase of the hostage deal, secure the release of more captives and then launch a large-scale military operation across the entire Gaza Strip.
Their assessment is based on what they see as Israel’s slow progress in negotiations, Trump’s recently announced plan to empty Gaza and the hawkish statements from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
According to Hamas’s calculations, Israel is waiting until it has fewer hostages in captivity before escalating its military campaign, believing that with fewer lives at risk, it will have greater operational freedom to use full force. This assessment aligns with Hamas’s threat to halt the release of three remaining hostages set to be freed on Saturday. For Hamas, this is not just a threat—it is a bargaining chip it could use if Israel refuses to start negotiations on the second phase of the deal.
Hamas believes that unlike in November 2023—when Israel resumed fighting after Hamas violated an agreement by refusing to release promised female hostages—Israel is now under significant domestic pressure not to let the deal collapse.
The group sees the public outrage and growing calls for action following the release of hostages in severe medical condition as an opportunity to extract more concessions. These demands include not only a rapid start to negotiations on the next phase of the deal and an end to the war but also smaller, immediate benefits, particularly improved conditions for displaced Gazans.
Hamas is pressing for more caravans to replace makeshift tents and for an end to Israeli airstrikes targeting individuals and trucks moving near security perimeters and roads leading to northern Gaza.
Despite Hamas’s claims, Israel maintains that it is upholding its commitments regarding the agreed number of aid trucks entering Gaza. Israeli officials say the shortage of caravans is not due to Israeli restrictions but rather to delays by the countries purchasing and sending the supplies.
Beyond these tactical objectives, Hamas has another goal—one that Israelis do not always recognize: inflicting psychological pain on the Israeli public. The group benefits from, and perhaps even draws strength from, the anguish and emotional distress in Israel, as well as the testimonies of freed hostages detailing the abuse they endured. Hamas wants these stories to be heard—not only to pressure the Israeli government but also because, in the eyes of its supporters, Israel’s suffering is its ultimate victory.
Posted on February 12, 2025
Photo Credit: hosnysalah/pixabay.com
Photo License: Pixabay
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