If the hostages are not returned, Gaza becomes 20% smaller. Losing land is the Arab equivalent of losing face. It is a very big deal. Gazans will KNOW they lost the war if land is lost. There is a lot of value in Gazans knowing they lost. 5 wars in, hamas has lost nothing it values. But they would lose land, something t…
If the hostages are not returned, Gaza becomes 20% smaller. Losing land is the Arab equivalent of losing face. It is a very big deal. Gazans will KNOW they lost the war if land is lost. There is a lot of value in Gazans knowing they lost. 5 wars in, hamas has lost nothing it values. But they would lose land, something they value. They would lose respect in the Islamic world, which they also value -- and need. And the starting point for negotiations becomes land for hostages, not terrorists for hostages.
Idea 2: Bring the death penalty into Israel. I don't much care for it, but the idea of terrorists returning to terrorism is, as the author writes, is excruciating. Do not make that choice available for those with blood on their hands.
Idea 1: Take land.
If the hostages are not returned, Gaza becomes 20% smaller. Losing land is the Arab equivalent of losing face. It is a very big deal. Gazans will KNOW they lost the war if land is lost. There is a lot of value in Gazans knowing they lost. 5 wars in, hamas has lost nothing it values. But they would lose land, something they value. They would lose respect in the Islamic world, which they also value -- and need. And the starting point for negotiations becomes land for hostages, not terrorists for hostages.
Idea 2: Bring the death penalty into Israel. I don't much care for it, but the idea of terrorists returning to terrorism is, as the author writes, is excruciating. Do not make that choice available for those with blood on their hands.