What will happen on Saturday with Hamas and the hostages?
Unfortunately, I can’t answer the question. I don’t think anyone can at this point, including the main players.
At least four things happened recently to get us to this possible fork in the road. First was the terrible condition of the last three hostages released. Second was Hamas saying it canceled any more releases till further notice – although they’ve now sort of walked that back and said maybe (I can’t find a link for that at the moment, but I heard it late last night). Third was Trump’s saying that’s it, enough, give back all the hostages or you’ll regret it – in other words, FAFO. And Netanyahu has echoed what Trump said, except Netanyahu only said that “the hostages” have to come back on Saturday rather than all the hostages.
The agony of the families who were expecting their loved ones back during this first phase must be horrific. Perhaps Trump and Netanyahu are calculating that Hamas’ reluctance to continue meant most of the remaining hostages are dead, or in such horrible condition that Hamas will never release them. Or maybe Hamas considered pausing the returns in order to fatten up the next group up a little more, but Trump and Netanyahu are saying their time for stalling has run out.
Hamas has never had to fight this war with Trump as the US president – only with Biden and company in charge. What will they do? What will Israel do? What will Trump do? Letting go of the planned return of the hostages is extraordinarily painful, because this time the idea is that they will probably die soon if they aren’t dead already, although there’s renewed evidence that at least some are still alive. But Hamas may have overplayed it’s hand. Let’s hope so.
I just heard a cheerful jingle (courtesy of HLC) which goes:
Which most certainly will not be happening on Saturday.
Still and all, advancing the clear motion toward the urgent humanitarian outcome of the complete evacuation of all the unfortunate Arabs from the Gaza strip warzone remains the primary duty of the decent nations of the earth. Get them all the fuck out of that hellhole and on to safe and prosperous lives elsewhere. Do it soonest!
(Though come to think on it, maybe selling a few of our treasured BUFFs to Israel wouldn’t be a bad idea, would it? They could use ’em.)
My admiration for the venerable B-52 is unbounded. It’s the only weapons system that is nearly as old as I am, and it functions better. Granted, it’s been upgraded a few times (wish I could follow suit) but its lineage traces back to the late ’40’s, with its first flight in 1954. But, it is a specialized weapons system, and probably not a fit for the IAF. Israel relies on its fleet of F-15’s, 16’s, 22’s and 35’s and a mix of other aircraft types. In any event, Israel can achieve the same effect with the munitions and delivery systems in its possession as well as the ground forces it usually deploys. Regardless, I do agree with the sentiment.
I don’t know, but you can file the article below away as evidence for your theory that the Palestinians do what they do because they enjoy it.
https://m.jpost.com/israel-news/article-841919
Former hostage Daniella Gilboa was forced to stage, film her own death, mother reveals.
Heavy long-range lift with large weapons bays seems to me quite well suited to the purpose of delivering massive multiples of ground-penetrating munitions onto deeply buried underground nuclear-weapons development sites. F-15s, etc, not so much, if on merely ranging grounds alone. But hey, if not useful beyond that, just rent ’em the damned things for a few months and take them back when they’re done.
Israel, like every other nation save the US, has no F-22s.