I don’t think the left is monolithic on this after October 7th. The problem is Israelis value each other’s lives so deeply to a point of tunnel vision. It’s hard to make the argument that you’re sacrificing future Israelis even though it’s turned out to be true over and over. Hamas for its part has validated 1. Stealing foreign aid 2. Subjugating and radicalizing most Palestinians. 3.Building weapons and tunnels (how would it be ensured supplies/aid aren’t stolen) 3. Using civilians to hold Israelis hostage. Very high complicity in unrwa too. Kleptocratic antisemitic even terrorist refugee association determined not to remedy the lives of anyone 4. Antisemitic schools (somehow this isn’t “scholasticide”) 5. Taking hostages 6. Torturing hostages 7. Raiding and murdering and raping and torturing as goalless and soulless barbarians 8. Nurturing intellectually shallow but emotionally intense anti western animus 9. Collaborating with other very anti western terror regimes 10. Turning the west against itself especially among the younger generation and invigorating radicals in cultural and academic and political seats of power to silence their opposition and keep hiring likeminded people as a rule
Overall a huge loss. I cant support it. If hashem forbid it was someone I loved of course I’d be banging the table to return them esp knowing how they are being abused and starved (real starvation) but Israel keeps going down the same road of unfinished business. It is fair to “blame the world” including America. World response to the evil of October 7th and the barbarism of the hostage taking and mistreatment hasn’t just been mute it’s been the most morally depraved inversion I’ve ever been witness to.
This will only help the hostages many of whom are dead and their families long term. It’s too high a price. It’s what Hamas counted on. If the west doesn’t want to match or exceed the barbarism of its enemy it must at least match or exceed its resolve.
Thank you for your blatant honesty. I think it's the most horrible deal. I worry about the 2 faces of Donald Trump. In my opinion, he will be the undoing of anything resembling peace, in the Middle East, but also he is driven by money, selling out to the highest bidder. I fear for the future of my Israel. It feels like this deal has just torpedoed any hope for the world to accept us, or treat us like human beings. We are truly alone, on the world's stage. It is up to us as Jews, all over the world, to remain united in our fight against terrorism. Am Yisrael Chai 🇮🇱💙🇨🇦. My hope for the return of all the hostages, sooner than later🙏🏼💔
-Rather than project Trump "throwing us to the wolves," which I doubt is going to happen, would you have preferred "Kamala Islamista Harris" to be representing us? She wasn't even covert about her disdain for Israel. WAKE UP!!!!
Receiving corpses in exchange for living, breathing, murders. That just about sums it up. The days of caring about Israel's standing in the international community are long gone. The international community killed that off long ago. I am a practical guy. 1,200 murderers; 50 per bus; 24 buses; cross the border into Gaza; 24 Hellfire missiles. Payback for 10/07 done.
Turnaround is fair play in this disgusting game. Sorry if I come across as such a nasty man, but I lost most of my compassion 15 months ago.
This deal is the equivalent of the Allies allowing the Nazis to stay in power in April 1945. Allowing them to continue their racist ideologies training their children to hate Jews. That is exactly what is happening now. In order to free themselves from the scourge of Hamas and UNRWA, the Israelis needed to completely obliterate Hamas and occupy Gaza for a generation. That will probably not happen and we will see another hostage situation in the future. I am disappointed with the Israelis and completely disgusted with the cowardly acts of Biden, Blinken. and their Democrat minions.
The difference then was that the world was united against Nazi evil. Now the world seems compassionate towards the same spirit which is alive and well in H*m*s, so how can Israel ever have justice?
My heart is in my boots…terrorists who take hostages have no conditions except unconditional execution. AND…giving an inch does not sound like Trump. I hope that Netanyahu and Trump have a quiet pagers-exploding-in-pockets real deal. This is horrible.
You are too pessimistic, Mr Fox, when you write: ' I am not convinced that these are a fair exchange for the strategic defeat in Gaza.' Hamas was never going to be physically defeated without even more severe loss of life on both sides. But The World has now seen Islamist Hamas for what it is, soon to be coming to Europe and The West with its Global Islamist Jihad. Such organisations do not get States. This is Israel's resounding victory.
'...Mostly decided they’re the good guys', you say. Yes, I think you are right, Second and Third World countries with a history of Colonialism and Anti-colonialism may think this of Hamas, but not advanced Western Nations like Britain and America, threatened as we are by Islamist Jihadis here too: The West and the rest.
As a British Jew with weekly protest marches, Jews attacked in the streets etc., I have to say I think you are completely wrong that western countries have seen the threat from Islamic extremism. Most of them regard Hamas, the Houthis etc., as resistance fighters, rather than the death cults that they are and not many of these useful idiots have joined the dots back to what happens in their own countries. They have believed every piece of propaganda that has come from these terrorists, including the “genocide” and famine lies which have completely disappeared from those Gazans celebrating their “victory”
The world has NOT seen what Hamas is. If they did, thousands wouldn’t be marching in the streets condemning Israel’s genocide. The world is anti-Semitic and Israel needs to operate under that truth. The world hates us just for our mere existence. Israel needs to say fuck you to the world and do what is necessary, that is, to eliminate Hamas REGARDLESS of collateral damage. The Palestinians needed to realize that hard fact that death and misery accompany their current path.
At face value, it looks like a terrible deal. Our stated objectives have not been achieved. Hamas will retain power and influence, Hostage taking will have proven to be a worthwhile and very rewarding endeavour and will no doubt continue to happen in the future; the enemy is already claiming victory, and their propaganda machine is in full force.
So why did Bibi agree to this? Why did Trump ask Bibi to agree to this? Trump has proven by his 4 years as President to be arguably the best President for Jews and Israel. Bibi has proven since Oct 7th his strength and courage to stand up to America and the world and do what has to be done to fight the war.
Again, so why did these two men agree to this deal?
Well, folks, Our disconnect is because we are looking at this at face value and we are overreacting. The fearmongers are saying Trump is throwing us under the bus? Bibi has gone weak-kneed etc. etc.
I don't think we should change our opinion about these two strong personality leaders based on the face value of this deal. I think there is far more at play here that is not mentioned in the deal.
This is hypothetical ...... If I were Bibi, and Trump would have told me to do the deal, and we could then go after Iran right away. I will give you the concrete busters you need and the planes to deliver them, and we take care of destroying Iran's nuclear capability. In addition, This deal will also give us what we need to get the Saudis on board with the Abraham Accords. In the future, we can always go back to dealing with Hamas. If Trump came to me with those conditions, I would accept them. And who knows? I would like to think he did cuz I believe that both these men are strong and on the same page. At least, I hope so.
I can’t understand all this crazy support for Hamas and the blatant anti-Semitism in the West—until I recall this is the same group who think men can turn into women by dressing like them!
Can we put this "Deal of a Century" in perspective?
"Stage 1 . . . 33 Israeli civilian hostages, some alive, some dead, will be released . . ."
COMMENT: Such a deal, as my Bubbe would say. Those waiting for the return of their living captives are sure to be please that they will remain underground while the dead ones are released. And in exchange for how many of their murderers?
"pauses in IDF reconnaissance flights."
COMMENT: in practical terms meaning Hamas fighters are free to return and retake complete control of territory they lost in the war.
"In exchange, Israel will release a number of Palestinian criminals . . ."
COMMENT: Soft peddling who is being released. They will be battle harden terrorists terrorists returning to Gaza to continue their holy mission. Allahu Akbar.
"Stage 3 will see a dead body exchange, a permanent ceasefire, and the reconstruction of Gaza will commence."
COMMENT: Paid for by whom, the one who caused all this damage — Israel? Will this reconstruction include the tunnels and their infrastructure?
"This reportedly comes with the reopening of crossings, and allowing the free movement of people and goods."
COMMENT: Does this mean all crossings thus lifting the blockade allowing unrestricted movement of weapons and terrorists?
"[Hamas has] . . . boosted their numbers from below 10,000[pre-recruitment post-war numbers] to the [pre-war] 20,000-to-30,000 range. However, these are untrained recruits, often under-age [as always. a significant part of their ranks and whose deaths routinely reported as Palestinian children], and the IDF has been striking their training camps in Northern Gaza so they have been unable to form any kind of meaningful capability. This is not a fighting force that retains any ability to harm the IDF in real numbers, although, as seen this past week with a fatal IED attack, they are able to score the odd hit. [Nothing to be concerned about. They are merely dead IDF, and there are so many more to practice on.]
COMMENT: Absolute naive assessment of realities on the ground. Given that Hamas regulars will be returning on mass to Northern Gaza, one can back Grandma's bustle they will immediately build training camps and give the troops battlefield experience attacking Jews over the proposed border where there will be guaranteed "free movement of people and goods".
Wonderful agreement. The hyenas have invited the sheep to dinner. They go to discuss what is on the menu. The hyenas go to discuss what time is lunch. Well done Biden, Trump, Qatar, Egypt, and Hamas. A just peace was always first and foremost in your mind. Enjoy your meal when it is finally cooked.
Too bad the obvious eludes the power elites. Their game has nothing to do with morality but everything to do with Realpolitik. Thus we are treated to the spectacle of Israel's "allies" cinching the leash tighter and tighter around her neck while she fights for her survival.
Jewish blood has always been cheap and expendable.
For every dead Israeli hostage, pick off a Hamas butcher standing by the Red Cross truck. Justice. Full media. There’ll be no more massacres and taking of innocent Israeli hostages.
I don’t think the left is monolithic on this after October 7th. The problem is Israelis value each other’s lives so deeply to a point of tunnel vision. It’s hard to make the argument that you’re sacrificing future Israelis even though it’s turned out to be true over and over. Hamas for its part has validated 1. Stealing foreign aid 2. Subjugating and radicalizing most Palestinians. 3.Building weapons and tunnels (how would it be ensured supplies/aid aren’t stolen) 3. Using civilians to hold Israelis hostage. Very high complicity in unrwa too. Kleptocratic antisemitic even terrorist refugee association determined not to remedy the lives of anyone 4. Antisemitic schools (somehow this isn’t “scholasticide”) 5. Taking hostages 6. Torturing hostages 7. Raiding and murdering and raping and torturing as goalless and soulless barbarians 8. Nurturing intellectually shallow but emotionally intense anti western animus 9. Collaborating with other very anti western terror regimes 10. Turning the west against itself especially among the younger generation and invigorating radicals in cultural and academic and political seats of power to silence their opposition and keep hiring likeminded people as a rule
Overall a huge loss. I cant support it. If hashem forbid it was someone I loved of course I’d be banging the table to return them esp knowing how they are being abused and starved (real starvation) but Israel keeps going down the same road of unfinished business. It is fair to “blame the world” including America. World response to the evil of October 7th and the barbarism of the hostage taking and mistreatment hasn’t just been mute it’s been the most morally depraved inversion I’ve ever been witness to.
This will only help the hostages many of whom are dead and their families long term. It’s too high a price. It’s what Hamas counted on. If the west doesn’t want to match or exceed the barbarism of its enemy it must at least match or exceed its resolve.
Seriously they should get nothing in exchange for releasing hostages.
Of course not, but that's never going to happen
Thank you for your blatant honesty. I think it's the most horrible deal. I worry about the 2 faces of Donald Trump. In my opinion, he will be the undoing of anything resembling peace, in the Middle East, but also he is driven by money, selling out to the highest bidder. I fear for the future of my Israel. It feels like this deal has just torpedoed any hope for the world to accept us, or treat us like human beings. We are truly alone, on the world's stage. It is up to us as Jews, all over the world, to remain united in our fight against terrorism. Am Yisrael Chai 🇮🇱💙🇨🇦. My hope for the return of all the hostages, sooner than later🙏🏼💔
-Rather than project Trump "throwing us to the wolves," which I doubt is going to happen, would you have preferred "Kamala Islamista Harris" to be representing us? She wasn't even covert about her disdain for Israel. WAKE UP!!!!
No, her name should be written "Kam-Allah Islamista Harris."
Trump is rock solid, Marianne.
We will see. He will need to prove me wrong
I sure hope so!
Receiving corpses in exchange for living, breathing, murders. That just about sums it up. The days of caring about Israel's standing in the international community are long gone. The international community killed that off long ago. I am a practical guy. 1,200 murderers; 50 per bus; 24 buses; cross the border into Gaza; 24 Hellfire missiles. Payback for 10/07 done.
Turnaround is fair play in this disgusting game. Sorry if I come across as such a nasty man, but I lost most of my compassion 15 months ago.
It’s a terrible deal. All the brave soldiers killed and wounded.
This deal is the equivalent of the Allies allowing the Nazis to stay in power in April 1945. Allowing them to continue their racist ideologies training their children to hate Jews. That is exactly what is happening now. In order to free themselves from the scourge of Hamas and UNRWA, the Israelis needed to completely obliterate Hamas and occupy Gaza for a generation. That will probably not happen and we will see another hostage situation in the future. I am disappointed with the Israelis and completely disgusted with the cowardly acts of Biden, Blinken. and their Democrat minions.
The difference then was that the world was united against Nazi evil. Now the world seems compassionate towards the same spirit which is alive and well in H*m*s, so how can Israel ever have justice?
Precisely
There must have been a payoff for Israel. PM Netanyahu's strategic priority has always been fully disabling Iran's nuclear capabilities. Stand by.
One can only pray.
A very haunting and sombre read. Thank you for your thoughts
My heart is in my boots…terrorists who take hostages have no conditions except unconditional execution. AND…giving an inch does not sound like Trump. I hope that Netanyahu and Trump have a quiet pagers-exploding-in-pockets real deal. This is horrible.
You are too pessimistic, Mr Fox, when you write: ' I am not convinced that these are a fair exchange for the strategic defeat in Gaza.' Hamas was never going to be physically defeated without even more severe loss of life on both sides. But The World has now seen Islamist Hamas for what it is, soon to be coming to Europe and The West with its Global Islamist Jihad. Such organisations do not get States. This is Israel's resounding victory.
The world has seen Hamas for what it is, and has mostly decided they’re the good guys in this conflict.
'...Mostly decided they’re the good guys', you say. Yes, I think you are right, Second and Third World countries with a history of Colonialism and Anti-colonialism may think this of Hamas, but not advanced Western Nations like Britain and America, threatened as we are by Islamist Jihadis here too: The West and the rest.
As a British Jew with weekly protest marches, Jews attacked in the streets etc., I have to say I think you are completely wrong that western countries have seen the threat from Islamic extremism. Most of them regard Hamas, the Houthis etc., as resistance fighters, rather than the death cults that they are and not many of these useful idiots have joined the dots back to what happens in their own countries. They have believed every piece of propaganda that has come from these terrorists, including the “genocide” and famine lies which have completely disappeared from those Gazans celebrating their “victory”
Really?!
But having to release terrorists from prison is a bad bad deal.
The Israelis need to plant devices under their skin that can be blown up remotely if they set a foot wrong.
The world has NOT seen what Hamas is. If they did, thousands wouldn’t be marching in the streets condemning Israel’s genocide. The world is anti-Semitic and Israel needs to operate under that truth. The world hates us just for our mere existence. Israel needs to say fuck you to the world and do what is necessary, that is, to eliminate Hamas REGARDLESS of collateral damage. The Palestinians needed to realize that hard fact that death and misery accompany their current path.
Thank you, Mr. Fox.
At face value, it looks like a terrible deal. Our stated objectives have not been achieved. Hamas will retain power and influence, Hostage taking will have proven to be a worthwhile and very rewarding endeavour and will no doubt continue to happen in the future; the enemy is already claiming victory, and their propaganda machine is in full force.
So why did Bibi agree to this? Why did Trump ask Bibi to agree to this? Trump has proven by his 4 years as President to be arguably the best President for Jews and Israel. Bibi has proven since Oct 7th his strength and courage to stand up to America and the world and do what has to be done to fight the war.
Again, so why did these two men agree to this deal?
Well, folks, Our disconnect is because we are looking at this at face value and we are overreacting. The fearmongers are saying Trump is throwing us under the bus? Bibi has gone weak-kneed etc. etc.
I don't think we should change our opinion about these two strong personality leaders based on the face value of this deal. I think there is far more at play here that is not mentioned in the deal.
This is hypothetical ...... If I were Bibi, and Trump would have told me to do the deal, and we could then go after Iran right away. I will give you the concrete busters you need and the planes to deliver them, and we take care of destroying Iran's nuclear capability. In addition, This deal will also give us what we need to get the Saudis on board with the Abraham Accords. In the future, we can always go back to dealing with Hamas. If Trump came to me with those conditions, I would accept them. And who knows? I would like to think he did cuz I believe that both these men are strong and on the same page. At least, I hope so.
Papa j
Yes. Amen. It was uplifting to read as I too believe both are strong men.
I can’t understand all this crazy support for Hamas and the blatant anti-Semitism in the West—until I recall this is the same group who think men can turn into women by dressing like them!
Can we put this "Deal of a Century" in perspective?
"Stage 1 . . . 33 Israeli civilian hostages, some alive, some dead, will be released . . ."
COMMENT: Such a deal, as my Bubbe would say. Those waiting for the return of their living captives are sure to be please that they will remain underground while the dead ones are released. And in exchange for how many of their murderers?
"pauses in IDF reconnaissance flights."
COMMENT: in practical terms meaning Hamas fighters are free to return and retake complete control of territory they lost in the war.
"In exchange, Israel will release a number of Palestinian criminals . . ."
COMMENT: Soft peddling who is being released. They will be battle harden terrorists terrorists returning to Gaza to continue their holy mission. Allahu Akbar.
"Stage 3 will see a dead body exchange, a permanent ceasefire, and the reconstruction of Gaza will commence."
COMMENT: Paid for by whom, the one who caused all this damage — Israel? Will this reconstruction include the tunnels and their infrastructure?
"This reportedly comes with the reopening of crossings, and allowing the free movement of people and goods."
COMMENT: Does this mean all crossings thus lifting the blockade allowing unrestricted movement of weapons and terrorists?
"[Hamas has] . . . boosted their numbers from below 10,000[pre-recruitment post-war numbers] to the [pre-war] 20,000-to-30,000 range. However, these are untrained recruits, often under-age [as always. a significant part of their ranks and whose deaths routinely reported as Palestinian children], and the IDF has been striking their training camps in Northern Gaza so they have been unable to form any kind of meaningful capability. This is not a fighting force that retains any ability to harm the IDF in real numbers, although, as seen this past week with a fatal IED attack, they are able to score the odd hit. [Nothing to be concerned about. They are merely dead IDF, and there are so many more to practice on.]
COMMENT: Absolute naive assessment of realities on the ground. Given that Hamas regulars will be returning on mass to Northern Gaza, one can back Grandma's bustle they will immediately build training camps and give the troops battlefield experience attacking Jews over the proposed border where there will be guaranteed "free movement of people and goods".
Wonderful agreement. The hyenas have invited the sheep to dinner. They go to discuss what is on the menu. The hyenas go to discuss what time is lunch. Well done Biden, Trump, Qatar, Egypt, and Hamas. A just peace was always first and foremost in your mind. Enjoy your meal when it is finally cooked.
The only solution is to keep fighting until Hamas surrender’s unconditionally. Then Israel occupies Gaza for at least a generation.
Too bad the obvious eludes the power elites. Their game has nothing to do with morality but everything to do with Realpolitik. Thus we are treated to the spectacle of Israel's "allies" cinching the leash tighter and tighter around her neck while she fights for her survival.
Jewish blood has always been cheap and expendable.
I can’t stop thinking about all the young Israeli soldiers of this war who died for nothing… it’s beyond depressing. My heart aches…
I don't understand - what's going to stop arms and munitions from crossing from Egypt into Gaza..... and how will that proliferation be a good thing
Nothing will stop it. Hamas will be back in business in the not too distant future.
For every dead Israeli hostage, pick off a Hamas butcher standing by the Red Cross truck. Justice. Full media. There’ll be no more massacres and taking of innocent Israeli hostages.