By John Dunkelgrün
For centuries, it was not uncommon for an army that had clearly lost a battle to be allowed to leave unharmed and honorably, often even with their colors, if they surrendered.
Life for the people of Gaza is hell, that much friend and foe can agree on, and that hell must stop. But putting pressure on Israel is not the best way to achieve that.
It is Hamas, which has brutally held the two million-plus Gazans hostage for a quarter of a century, which has used untold millions in aid to build its army, its weapon factories, and its underground fortress. It is Hamas that has stolen aid supplies and resold them at a gross profit to the Gazans.
Militarily, Hamas has been defeated. The only reason they can hold out is because of the hostages. The fastest way to save the people of Gaza from this hell on earth is to put maximum pressure on Hamas to release all hostages, the living and the dead, in return for a safe exit; if need be, with flying colors. Gaza should then get a pan-Arab caretaker government as a first step to a federal State of Palestine, together with the Palestine Authority in Ramallah. It would be a very hard pill to swallow for both the Israeli government and Hamas. However, this is where the power and influence of President Trump, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar can truly prove to be a force for good.
It would be better for both the people of Gaza and for Israel. It would finally give the Gazans the opportunity for a life in peace and hope for their future.
Any solution that leaves Hamas in power means waiting for the next round.
