NEW YORK (VINnews) — Families of American hostages held by Hamas are pressuring the White House to consider a unilateral deal with the terrorist organization to secure the release of their loved ones. Five sources familiar with the matter told NBC on Thursday that U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration is weighing the option of a deal with Hamas irrespective of Israel’s progress in negotiations with the terrorist group.
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Ynet reports that the discussions are taking place amid concerns from the families and U.S. officials that Prime Minister Netanyahu may not agree to a deal with Hamas which includes a cease-fire in Gaza.
Four American nationals who the U.S. believes are still alive remain in Hamas captivity and the administration is also working to secure the return of the bodies of three others. 94 other hostages remain in Gaza, but many are already known to be dead.
During the course of the November hostage release, Hamas made separate deals to release Thai and Philipino hostages they were holding. Three Russian citizens were also released as part of a deal with the Kremlin.
The Biden administration did not pursue a similar deal in the past because it was opposed by senior officials and the president hoped to pursue a broader agreement that would bring an end to the war. Currently the administration has prepared a list of prisoners being held in the US which Hamas might be interested in as part of a deal.
A U.S. official explained recently that the idea of a unilateral deal is unrealistic because the U.S. doesn’t have enough to offer in exchange for American hostages. “We have considered all possible options to free the hostages and bring them home to their families. Because of Hamas’ demands, there has not been a formal offer for a side deal made because no such deal is possible,” the official said.
“Hamas wants two things that only Israel can deliver: a cease-fire and nearly 1,000 Palestinian prisoners currently in Israeli jails. Every other proposal has gone nowhere because that is what Hamas demands for the hostages,” the official added.
“President Biden and the rest of the U.S. government remain fully committed to returning the hostages, including Americans, to their families. And we continue to work, day and night, to complete the cease-fire and hostage release deal that is under discussion.
The White House has so far officially denied the possibility of a unilateral deal with Hamas multiple times. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Wednesday the Biden administration is working to release the American hostages only as part of a comprehensive deal involving all the hostages.
American officials told NBC that the list of prisoners that could be released in a unilateral deal includes five leaders of the Texas-based Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, who were convicted in 2008 of transferring over $12 million to Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization in the U.S. Two of the charity leaders were sentenced to 65 years in prison, two others to 15 years and the fifth to 20 years.
Excellent idea! America should give Hamas California in exchange for the hostages. There they will have self rule, and if course control the border crossing with Mexico.
Hamas wants 100 billion in cash. Additional 100 billion in weapons as well as training hw to use said weapons in the destruction of the state of Israel. That will get America a single hostage. After Hamas destroys Israel, they will want additional 100’s of billions, plus enough nuclear weapons to destroy the satan that is America.
Rewarding kidnappers only encourages them. Write off the hostages and get on with winning the war.
Actually, Biden should have done this on Day 1 of the situation. The American-Israelis would be freed and evil hamas would have LESS “bargaining” power.
What did the Thais and the Russians give Hamas to free their hostages? Weapons? Money? Freed other terrorists they were holding? Support in the UN? Nothing is free.
Russia has been ramping up its negotiations with Hamas about its citizens. This could be a potential political threat to Biden, and by extension Harris, and make them look incompetent. So they’re under pressure to make a deal.