Gerson Baskin: “Netanyahu holds the lives of hostages in his hands” –

A few minutes after his “victorious” speech Benjamin Netanyahu for the assassination of the leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinuaro Gerson Baskinthe Israeli columnist who in 2006 mediated the release of an Israeli soldier held hostage by Hamas for five years, Gilad Shalitone comment he was content to make in “Vima”: he was referring exclusively to the 101 Israeli hostages he considers to be now in serious danger.

“There is an urgent need for Israel to send a message to anyone holding a hostage in Gaza, assuring them that they will be guaranteed safe exit from the Strip and a hefty sum of money in exchange for the hostage’s release.” he told us clearly upset.

“It is impossible to predict what the fate of the hostages will be now, so Israel must act quickly by informing Egypt and Qatar that it is ready to reach an agreement to return all hostages and end the war. There is no other way” emphasizes the Israeli director of the Middle East of the Organization of International Communities, with which Hamas keeps constant channels open. “Hamas is waiting for Israel to take the first step” appreciates. “He thinks he will be weakened in the negotiations if he appears to agree first. Netanyahu has the lives of the hostages in his hands.”

The Prime Minister of Qatar announced that the negotiations for a truce are “freezing” for the next three to four weeks.

“Meaning until the American election and until a new president is elected. Political cynicism. It is obvious that the Americans will not move until the election of the president. Both the Qataris and the Egyptians are waiting for the result of the elections.”

What result does Israel want from the November 5th ballot in the USA?

“Everybody knows that Netanyahu wants Donald Trump to win. She thinks that with him she will have free rein to do whatever she wants. If Kamala Harris wins, there will be severe restrictions on Israel. Nevertheless, I am hopeful that things can move in favor of a deal in Gaza, even while the US is in the final stretch of the election. There is no reason to stop, even for one day, when hostages remain trapped in the tunnels of Gaza and civilians are killed every day.”

And if an agreement is reached, the two-state solution is considered by most to be “dead”.

“All that is needed is a change of leadership on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides. The two-state solution depends on this. So we may be very close to the two-state solution and not know it. But we may be far from it.”

Before the November presidential election in the USA, an Israeli strike on Iran is expected.

“Yes. We must expect Israel to strike Iran. It has declared that it will not hit nuclear or energy targets. The targets will be military. However, I believe that at this time Israel does not want to provoke an escalation with Iran.”

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallad argues that Israel’s successes in Lebanon will have a positive impact on the release of hostages in Gaza. Do you agree?

“Hamas does not agree with the defense minister and understands that Israel will be stuck in Lebanon in a long war of attrition, in which Israeli soldiers and civilians will be killed on a regular basis. Hamas is also aware of the plight of its people in Gaza and wants to end the war, but without making any move that would be perceived as surrender. On the other hand, Hezbollah also knows that it can continue to destabilize an entire country, sending missiles and drones against civilians in Israel and continuing to kill Israeli soldiers in Lebanon. What we are witnessing is a war of attrition in both Gaza and Lebanon.”