Chaotic Gaza hostage releases highlight growing tension as soldiers narrowly avoid crush
Chaotic Gaza hostage releases highlight growing tension as soldiers narrowly avoid crush
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The latest release of eight hostages from Gaza was chaotic and terrifying as armed groups jostled to hold back crowds of locals. They included three Israelis, one of them a soldier, and five Thai workers who had been seized on October 7 2023. Both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad appear to have joined forces in asserting their control of the Gaza Strip during the releases. But they only narrowly avoided a catastrophic crush, as in parts the crowds were uncontrolled and it looked like the armed men were losing control.
As each release passes, with the next happening on Saturday, tension is mounting for Phase Two of the ceasefire to be agreed upon. The sight of the masked gunmen is a stark reminder that the militants still hold great sway over the Gaza Strip and this is worrying. It means the remaining hostages who will not be released by the end of week six, when phase one of the ceasefire ceases, face an uncertain future.
Israelis will be elated with the latest releases but filled with worry for those remaining - as will the families and loved ones of the 120 Palestinian prisoners. Nothing is guaranteed regarding the remaining hostages who sadly are not included in phase one and the Palestinians could be re-arrested. There is a fragile chance that today’s event takes Gaza one step closer to lasting peace but that possibility is also in doubt.
Phase Two of the ceasefire is still under negotiation and the situation will not have been helped by the sight of so many armed Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad men in Gaza. Of course someone had to take security seriously within Gaza during the releases but somebody told the crowds in Khan Younis and elsewhere that Israelis were being released there. It is a clear message that militant groups remain in control in Gaza and hopes of lasting peace may fade as the bank of hostages being held gets smaller.
For every person being held that is released, Hamas leaders know they lose leverage and this is worrying for both those being held and Palestinians in Gaza. As tensions rise the coming days will be extremely difficult for those negotiating the next phase in what is becoming an increasingly fragile ceasefire. And sadly the lives of those suffering on both sides may not be the biggest priority for the decision makers.
