Praise that Israeli hostages are coming home, but a deal that keeps Hamas in power is a bad one
The cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas is meant to be a first step, and we don’t know what happens next, or the promises that were made behind the scenes.It is possible that President-elect Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed on this move merely as a tactical prelude to a set of far-reaching measures that will yet transform the Middle East.And, most importantly, the idea of dozens of Israelis — including toddlers — returning home after more than a year in purgatory is enough to dull even the most hawkish observer’s concerns.Yet it is very hard to observe this deal and see it as anything other than an utter and complete disgrace — and an embarrassment for America.First, and most devastating, Hamas remains in power.Greatly weakened, true, and hampered by increased Israeli military presence in Gaza, but able to claim ultimate victory.Because a terror organization, as the old chestnut goes, wins just as long as it doesn’t lose, and forcing Israel to cease fire, release terrorists, and succumb to a long list of demands in order to receive the rest of its hostages is a major victory for Hamas.And not a symbolic one, at that: Mahmoud Abbas, the corrupt and despotic president of the Palestinian Authority, is 89 years old and ailing.A deal that keeps Hamas in power now almost certainly means that when Abbas dies, the organization will be in position to seize the mantle of leadership in the West Bank as well, growing its power and influence.Just as troubling is what the deal suggests about the political machinations in Washington, DC.Why would Trump, who repeatedly said there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages weren’t released before he takes office, put his weight behind a deal that, with very few and very minor details, is the exact same one peddled, unsuccessfully and for many months now, by the Biden administration?To hear Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, praise Qatar, one of Hamas’ chief ...