Hostages or Hamas? Rafah may force Netanyahu’s hand

The prospect of an attack on Rafah could spur critics outside Israel to challenge the strategy of eliminating Hamas over negotiating a hostage deal.

Last week, Amos Biderman published his daily cartoon in Ha'aretz. It depicted Netanyahu standing alone amidst the ruins of Gaza and sporting a MAGA (Make America Great Again) style hat — albeit in blue and white. The hat was labelled “Total Victory!” Below Netanyahu's feet, hidden from view, deep underground in a tunnel, were the caged hostages, guarded by an armed and indifferent Yahya Sinwar.

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words — but never more so than in Biderman's “above and below ground” caricature, illustrating the choice for Israelis: "Which should take priority? The rescue of the hostages or Netanyahu's belief in 'Total Victory' over Hamas?"

All Israelis want to see the return of the hostages — and this is reflected in the “Bring them Home" campaign waged in the Diaspora. What is totally missing in the Diaspora is any commentary which reflects the intense debate in Israel — the primacy of rescuing the hostages over the meaning of “Total Victory”. The Diaspora campaign may be well-intentioned and directed at increasing diplomatic pressure but it omits any consideration of the price to be paid in rescuing the hostages.

Recently the families of British hostages and those with British links visited London from Israel. They told the BBC and other media outlets that unless a deal was struck, it was likely that the hostages might never return. The longer the war continues, the greater the likelihood that the hostages would return in body bags.

Benny Gantz’s threat to attack Rafah before Ramadan if all the hostages are not released can be seen as a reflection of the urgency to secure the immediate return of those held in Hamas captivity.