The art of the Hamas deal
Who knows how this will really go?
But if the hostages do come back home – what a wonderful thing.
Israel and Hamas have struck a deal for Hamas to release all remaining hostages and for Israel to withdraw its forces to an “agreed upon line,” President Trump announced Wednesday, in what he called the “first Phase” of a peace deal to end the two-year-long war.
“This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America,” the president wrote on Truth Social. “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
It’s from the Sermon On the Mount:
From the CBS article:
Two regional sources told CBS News there is an agreement on all sides in principle on a hostage release, but procedural issues remain.
We’ve all learned to be skeptical, but I’m both skeptical and hopeful. Those two things can coexist.
More:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also released a short statement on the hostages that read, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.” …
Hamas also confirmed in a statement it had reached an agreement.
The terrorist group praised Qatari, Egyptian and Turkish mediators in helping broker a deal, and specifically thanked Mr. Trump for his “efforts.”
Time will tell. But this is good news so far. Israel has accomplished a lot – and one of those things it has accomplished is that it knows that Hamas cannot be trusted, and so it must always always be on guard and high alert.
It’s been two years and a day since October 7, 2023.
Why does anyone think that Hamas or their successors won’t take more hostages? No defense is foolproof, and as a tactic it works every time.
Well, if it took an extra three days for Hamas to sign off, that’s fine with me.
But Hamas had better deliver all the hostages in the next 72 hours.
I’m also wondering about the fine print on the agreement with Hamas. Are they really relinquishing their guns, their leadership in Gaza?
I’m right with you wondering about the further details, further talks(?), further actions huxley, although so far I’ve seen nothing to indicate Hamas (nor any of the other handful of jihadi terror orgs in Gaza) give any sign they will disarm and remove themselves from the scene (i.e. take free passage out to another Arab or Islamic state). Nothing at all. Too, I wonder about the conditions attached to the returning jihadis in Israeli custody, some 2,000 roughly, plus bodies of dead jihadis like Sinwar et al. Earlier releases had those released going elsewhere than into Gaza, like into Judea and Samaria in some cases. But I don’t know about this round.
I’m also interested to learn just how much backstage arm twisting the Trump team has used on the Qatari royals as I suspect it has been considerable, though this is merely my surmise. Rumors, I’ve heard ’em, but nothing nailed down. Still, appearances don’t belie the possibility. The Israeli bombing scared the crap out of Qatar (and for good reason), and everythihg changed thereafter. I want the dish.
BobS:
Perhaps they wouldn’t want the same havoc wreaked on them again?
It’s just so hard to believe they will release the hostages, but what a wonderful thing for Israel and civilization if it happens. I read somewhere (maybe Times of Israel?) that sources said the living hostages are expected to be released Saturday.
Hamas will inevitably violate the terms of the cease fire and when they do I don’t see what stops Israel from going in for the finish if hostages are all home.
Am I wrong in my supposition that fear of accidental killing of any of their own hostages has acted as a significant restraint on Israel from a kinetic/ military standpoint?
That’s what makes it hard to believe those Hamas jackals will give them all up.
Neo: “… I’m both skeptical and hopeful…”
I am too, but I am 20% hopeful and 80% skeptical.
I sense you are closer to 50-50, but I could be wrong.
Indirectly related and maybe even eventually helpful:
Rep. Hillary Cassel files ‘No Sharia Act’ to block foreign law in Florida courts
Florida News By Michelle Vecerina
Published Oct. 8, 2025, 2:22 p.m. ET | Updated Oct. 8, 2025
https://flvoicenews.com/rep-hillary-cassel-files-no-sharia-act-to-block-foreign-law-in-florida-courts
” the “No Sharia Act,” formally codifies the prohibition of applying foreign legal codes in civil disputes if that application would deny parties the fundamental rights guaranteed by the U.S. or state constitutions.”
The bill is submitted but far from passed – but it is a good first step. Should be passed easily, but in politics (even in FL) you just never know.
Somehow the ideology of Islam must be found to be noncompliant with the First Amendment as not being a legitimate religion, or whatever. Certainly not what the framers and ratifiers believed.
They are using our words and ideas against us.
Approximately 2000 anti-Israel criminals get to go free??!
What an insane world we are living in.
.
Praying that the good parts of this agreement come to fruition.
Still, I’ll believe it when I see it.
Get the hostages out, and then whatever happens to the remaining Hamas in Gaza will happen.
@R2L, on the “no sharia” law: I had elderly Muslim acquaintances in Cairo. Their son lived in the US with his Egyptian wife. For some reason, we were discussion Muslim family law, and I pointed out that their daughter-in-law, now an American citizen, had rights to marital property which she did not have in Egyptian law. They were shocked.
Ye gods! What’s this!?
Caroline Glick waxing uncharacteristically optimistic??
(…As she agrees with Bret Stephens’s before handing him his head on the proverbial platter, something that regrettably should have been done long ago…and to think he once had such promise…indeed, what hath the NYT wrought…except more Bibi disparagement…?)
https://jewishworldreview.com/1025/glick100925.php3
H/T Powerline blog.
“Interesting” graf:
Fox on their website declares lasting peace by Trump, CNN says Trump helped push the deal through but has a wait and see attitude, MSNBC relegates the news to a small sidebar. Amazingly, I’m with CNN on this. I remember way back to the Camp David accords which also promised ever lasting peace. I’ve been Lucy’ed with the football on Israel securing peace with its neighbors too many times.
If all works out to the satisfaction of Trump – that is, Hamas actually abides by the agreement – get ready to hear a never ending criticism of Trump.
The demonkrats and their propaganda organs (I.e., the MSM, the newspapers, blogs, etc.) and all the talking heads will be describing in excruciating detail why the agreement is flawed, doomed to failure and is a publicity stunt by the big liar, Trump.
Now imagine it was Biden or Obama that had orchestrated this agreement……OK…..no need to imagine; we all know how it would be received.
Anyway, let’s hope for the best, but I guess I will believe it when I see it.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/415999
Israel time is 7 hrs ahead of Eastcoast US time, so the signatures would have been at 5am Eastern today. The Knesset approval will be around now-ish, 8-9 am Eastern. Und so weiter
Amit Segal: “Prime Minister’s Office: Israel will not release Marwan Barghouti in the deal.”
https://x.com/AmitSegal/status/1976270597845025010
Also Amit Segal: “The bodies of Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar will not be released as part of the deal, according to CNN”
https://x.com/AmitSegal/status/1976259224226136536
I’m with “skeptical”.
Hamas will continue. They will bide their time. If non-violence lasts long enough, the inevitable bureaucratization of the intel/watchers will repeat itself.
Hamas is not just a bunch of murderous nutcases whose day is done. Islam directs its adherents to kill Jews and destroy Israel.
Recruits will continue to volunteer, societies will support them, governments will support them.
And the next time Israel defends itself, Israel will be condemned.
Marlene said:
“Approximately 2000 anti-Israel criminals get to go free??!
What an insane world we are living in.”
Israel has no death penalty. Now that they are released the Mossad and/or The IDF can exterminate them depending on whether they go to London, Berlin, Paris or Dublin or remain in Gaza.
It’s murky, to be sure.
Still, Hamas’ enemy also gets a say in the matter: Netanyahu yesterday — “We are living through fateful days of decision. We will continue to act to achieve all the war’s objectives: the return of all the hostages, the elimination of Hamas’s rule and the assurance that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel,” he stated. “Together we will stand. And together, with God’s help, we will prevail.”
Richard Aubrey said:
“And the next time Israel defends itself, Israel will be condemned.”
Israel just wiped out most of Hamas in Gaza, destroyed Hezbollah, destroyed Iran’s nuclear weapons program, took out key nuclear scientists and IRGC leaders at will and is retaliating against The Iranian proxy army in Yemen.
I don’t think Israel gives a damn if bed wetting Europeans, American Karen’s and Beta Males wearing Keffiyehs and assorted Communist (Democrat) politicians condemn them.
Israel just gave them the middle finger with both hands raised high, and if needs be they will do it again and again. They have since 1948.
Why you ask? Because Israel knows it can lose only (1) war. So they won’t.
The only thing that is important is getting the hostages and the remains back. At that point, we are back to square one.
We all know Hamas hasn’t seen the light. They’re just waiting for the next opportunity to strike.
But now they know what happens, and Israel will never go to sleep again.
Just to say, what comes next for Hamas after the exchange of hostages and jihadi prisoners (or even now before the exchange for that matter!) is they go back to murdering Arab Gazans who disagree to be ruled by Hamas. Killing at scale is what they do, and if they can’t be killing Jews then fellow Arabs will have to do.
Following up on my October 8, 2025, 11:53 pm comment, I also found this item proffered by Chip Roy for a national level anti-Sharia law:
https://thefederalist.com/2025/10/08/exclusive-roy-bill-would-allow-ice-to-deport-adherents-of-sharia-law
Exclusive: Roy Bill Would Allow ICE To Deport Adherents Of Sharia Law 10/8/25
[I will review the intervening comments later today].
Re: Blessed are the peacemakers – It’s kind of weird to see Trump basically making arguments for his own salvation on social media. Very much in character for the man, but still odd. Either that, or he’s playing to a particular audience. Or both.
Whatever it is, I wish him well with his efforts in the middle east and with respect to his own soul.
well we will see how this deal is enforced, whether it is a durable piece or a hudna,
https://jihadwatch.org/2025/10/gazans-celebrate-peace-deal-with-chant-vowing-genocide-of-the-jews
reasons for concern, however,
it is really that hard to understand,
he feels he was saved in order to promote peace, a durable one, but alas there is the rub, because the enemy has a vote,
whether kissinger was really sincere about ending the vietnam war, I believe rabin really did, but le duc tho and arafat did not want peace, they wanted enough of a pause to rearm, and
continue their efforts,
Bauxite, I think he’s just quoting Scripture. He has been much more prone to make religious references since his near-assassination last year. As to whether he has a more or less (lower case) orthodox view of Christian theology, I have no idea. Obama doesn’t, and Biden, insofar as he thought about it at all, didn’t take it too seriously despite his regular Mass attendance.
I do think he takes these efforts to end various wars very seriously. For that, let us praise the Lord.
The Great Orange Whale has a soul?
Cautious optimism
Bauxite:
In Trump’s public statements on the matter, he gave plenty of thanks to other people and other countries involved in the negotiations. Note, also, that the quote is plural: peacemakers.
So why would you assume he’s referring only to himself?
Here’s the quote:
John Galt,
Depending on circumstances, Israel being condemned by the West may not be cost-free. They can win cheap, or they can win expensive. The latter might be due to some governments putting obstacles up; sharing intel, weapon systems, so forth.
Will it last? I hope it does but Hamas has had multiple opportunities to have a lasting my peace. So far they’ve not been able to refrain from launching rockets.
In somewhat related news.
BREAKING: Pakistan has carried out its first-ever bombing of Kabul, Afghanistan.
@GeneralMCNews
Kate on October 9, 2025 at 6:50 am said:
@R2L, on the “no sharia” law: … their daughter-in-law, now an American citizen, had rights to marital property which she did not have in Egyptian law. They were shocked.”
If you are suggesting that these Muslim dominated housing and business developments will follow normal US laws and grant wives and women community property rights, and that that will lead to the demise of male dominated Sharia or Islam more generally (via divorce or widowhood?), then I would say “you go, girl!” But might the men in turn work to change the laws to remove such marital rights? Or work to curtail their women becoming citizens? Even their daughters?? Then both parents have to be and remain non-citizens? Can they remain outside the “jurisdictions of the United States” under that situation?
sdferr on October 9, 2025 at 10:27 am said:
“… what comes next … they go back to murdering Arab Gazans who disagree to be ruled by Hamas. Killing at scale is what they do, and if they can’t be killing Jews then fellow Arabs will have to do.”
And with such a blazing example in neon lights and moving marquee lighting as to why we have a 2nd Amendment, it is hard to understand why more nations (at the people level) do not provide for their right to bear arms.
I mentioned before that there were reports of armed clans resisting the Hamas soldiers or thugs, so they are somewhat aware of what being armed means. Maybe it still takes an individualistic/equality oriented view vs. a collectivist/tribal one for this idea to fully take hold?
Another example where politics is downstream of culture?
R2L at 10:42 am:
I love the Chip Roy anti-sharia law bill.
Deporting violators is wise, as I don’t believe they will stop their ways.
I also wish we’d have laws against them getting elected to any political or justice related positions!
The Italian leader announced recently a ban on women’s face coverings. (Banned something else too, but I’ve forgotten what. )
She said something like “cultural segregation is bad”.
Amen!!!
“Cultural segregation”: What an interesting way to say multi-culturalism.
@ Marlene > “Approximately 2000 anti-Israel criminals get to go free??!”
The Israelis are very charitable; they should give each one a new set of clothes and a free cellphone.
John Galt: You may be right in your surmise about them becoming subject to the non-judicial death penalty; has Israel done that in the past, or do you think that this time the IDF is going to get serious about stomping future terrorism?
neo – None of the other nations or peoples that Trump listed recognize the new testament. I guess that doesn’t exclude the possibility of Trump using the words of Christ to complement them.
CC™ reawakens to engage The Great Orange Whale.
Bauxite:
Trump’s point is obvious, and it’s not what you’ve claimed.
And it’s a very odd thought that someone wouldn’t use New Testament words to praise people who aren’t Christians.
By the way, in case you’re wondering, here’s the official Moslem line on Jesus: