Even as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are busily engaged revoking the birth certificates of Hamas terrorists in Gaza, and while Israel’s air force is likewise engaged in changing Hamas terrorists’ pronouns to “over here” and “over there,” Hamas is admitting they are feeling the pinch. Now they are offering to release all of the remaining 59 hostages taken in the October 7th, 2023 attack, in return for a permanent cease-fire with Israel. Less than half of those hostages are thought to still be alive.

Hamas is ready to release all remaining 59 hostages in Gaza in exchange for a permanent cease-fire with Israel, Palestinian officials said.

As Israel ramps up its military campaign in Gaza, the terror group told negotiators it was prepared to free all its hostages so long as it gets assurance that Jerusalem will withdraw all its forces, a senior Palestinian official told the Times of Israel.

It remains to be seen if the proposal will be accepted, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long rejected any deal that does not include Hamas’ complete defeat, including demilitarization and its permanent exit from Gaza.

Apparently Hamas has made no such promises, and honestly, it would be suprising – and unbelievable, in the literal sense of the word, if they did.

While Hamas has insisted that both sides should stick to the original US-brokered cease-fire deal in January, the terror group appears to be ready to concede that a permanent end to the fighting may not be immediately on the table.

“We had no other choice. The situation in Gaza is terrible,” the officials said about Hamas’ new position.

Yes, there can be no doubt that the situation in Gaza is terrible. Hamas is to blame for that.

Hamas seized control of Gaza after an election in 2007, after which there has never been another election. Hamas has repeatedly attacked Israel, with the infamous October 7th, 2023 atrocities being only the latest and worst episode. Hamas set up an “education” system that inculcated hate and taught children to view Israel as an irredeemable enemy and Jews as monsters deserving only death. They have commandeered humanitarian aid for their own purposes, and they routinely set rocket launchers near schools and store weapons and ammunition in civilian buildings so that they can blame Israeli responses for “targeting innocents.” These are people who murder toddlers. These are people who murder the residents of Gaza who protest their excesses. These are people who invaded Israel, attacked innocent civilians, committed mass rapes and mass murders, and took hostages. They cannot be trusted.

They won’t demilitarize and leave Gaza for good unless they are forced to do so. And I think we all know what that will entail.