The conservative American newspaper New York Post has published a pointed editorial urging Israel to prioritize securing the release of hostages through negotiations with Hamas before proceeding to destroy the organization in the Gaza Strip.
In the editorial titled "Israel's to-do list now: Get the hostages, THEN destroy Hamas," the newspaper – considered one of the leading media outlets of the American right – urged Israel to pursue what it identifies as Israel's three key objectives: "get the hostages home, destroy Hamas' military and administrative power and ensure Gaza is never again the base for terror attacks on Israel."
The publication criticized the second phase of the hostage deal, stating: "Under the original plan, Phase 2 meant talks to free the remaining hostages (basically, male Israeli soldiers), resolve the future governance of Gaza and see Israel withdraw completely. We see no way that happens unless Hamas agrees to leave Gaza entirely."
The editorial presents Israel with two possible strategies. The first involves extending the initial phase of the hostage deal: "It could agree to extend Phase 1, with more hostages freed in exchange for a delay in fighting and, perhaps, releasing Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has so far rejected that," the newspaper noted. The second option would be that Israel "could agree to pull out of Gaza and end the war – and still decide its next move later."
"Either way, once all the hostages are returned, all bets are off," the publication explained, asserting that Israel has no moral obligation to honor agreements with the terror organization. "Israel would be free to pursue all its other goals. No matter what it promises. That's right: There'd be no moral reason to quit hunting Hamas, even via renewed full-scale war. Hamas is a terrorist group. It strangles, burns and beheads babies. It vows to launch new attacks on Israel. A ceasefire existed on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas invaded Israel... Jerusalem can 'honor' any ceasefire with Hamas the way Hamas did that earlier one."
