New: Hamas Claims It Doesn't Know Which Hostages Are Still Alive

“We didn’t until now submit any list,” politburo member Basim Naim tells the BBC from Istanbul in a Sunday conversation. “But first of all, technically and practically, it is now impossible to know exactly who is still alive and who has been killed because of the Israeli bombardment or who has been killed because of starvation because of the Israeli blockade.”

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He adds that the hostages “are in different areas with different groups and therefore we have called for a ceasefire to be able to collect the data.”

Ed Morrissey

Yeah, that's a load of crap. The hostages are and have been Hamas' most valuable asset for leverage in negotiations. It's why they kidnapped so many Israelis in the first place. Does anyone think for a moment that Hamas leadership doesn't know their status and location at all times? 

This is a stall for time, and thus far Israel's not playing along. Nor should they, and they shouldn't trade any Palestinians or pause operations unless they get all of the hostages back. All this deal would do is continue Hamas' ability to play games. 

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