As efforts to secure the release of 100 Israeli hostages continue, experts caution that many may never return home [1] due to the complex dynamics of the situation, reports Maayan Hoffman for The Media Line. Ongoing negotiations, led by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, aim to coincide with President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, but the fragmented control in Gaza and Hamas’ diminished infrastructure complicate progress. Gershon Baskin, a negotiator in past hostage releases, explained that Hamas likely does not know the whereabouts of all captives due to destroyed communication systems and competing factions. Moty Cristal, a veteran negotiator, criticized the Biden administration’s approach of linking hostage releases to a full ceasefire, arguing that incremental deals would be more effective.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
Despite the challenges, shifts in leadership with Trump’s upcoming presidency may influence outcomes. Trump has signaled a hard-line stance, warning Hamas of severe consequences for noncooperation. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure to finalize an agreement before Trump takes office.
Hoffman emphasizes that while some hostages may be freed in the coming weeks, the grim reality is that others may never return. Experts agree that without more flexible negotiation strategies, Israel risks facing repeated hostage crises in the future. For a deeper understanding of this issue and its implications, read Hoffman’s full article [1] in The Media Line.