Nikki Haley: Hamas Releases Hostages to Gain US Favor
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley suggests Hamas may be trying to gain favor with the United States by releasing American hostages during the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict.
Hamas, a terrorist group, has recently released Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter, Natalie Raanan, who were kidnapped during Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel. The release was facilitated by Qatar’s mediation efforts.
According to Ms. Haley, although two hostages have been freed, there are still more than 200 hostages held in Gaza awaiting release.
“I have dealt with Qatar in terms of trying to get hostages or actually hostage bodies out of Gaza. This is what they do. They’re trying to earn favor with the United States,” Ms. Haley told Fox News.
Ms. Haley believes that Hamas terrorists may be concerned about Israel launching a ground war, while Iran, which has ties to Hamas, fears the potential losses Hamas could suffer in the conflict.
“Their strategy is to release two hostages to weaken us and prevent Israel from entering Gaza. Additionally, they hope to gain something from this situation,” she added.
Ms. Haley emphasizes the importance of the Biden administration negotiating the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza while maintaining unwavering support for Israel.
“Don’t be fooled. We still have 200 hostages there. We must not forget what happened on Oct. 7. Israel needs to stay focused, determined, and America must stand by their side,” she urged.
Judith Tai Raanan and Natalie Raanan are the first American hostages to be released by Hamas. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that they were handed over to Israeli security forces at the Gaza border on Friday.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Daniel Hagari responded to the hostage release in a statement, stating: “Hamas presents itself to the world as having returned the women they took hostage on humanitarian grounds, while Hamas is, in fact, a murderous terrorist organization that right now is holding infants, children, women, and elderly people hostage in the Gaza Strip, and continuing to commit crimes against humanity.”
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden expressed his “overjoyed” reaction to the release and thanked Qatar and Israel for their assistance.
Mr. Biden assured that his administration has been tirelessly working to secure the release of American hostages and will continue their efforts until all hostages are freed.
“As president, I prioritize the safety of Americans held hostage worldwide,” he emphasized.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which facilitated the release of the two hostages from Gaza to Israel, has also called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages.
The ICRC stated, “The release of two hostages in Gaza today brings a glimmer of hope. We stand ready to visit the remaining hostages and facilitate future releases based on an agreement reached by all parties involved.”
Hamas militants took more than 200 hostages, including U.S. citizens and foreigners, during their surprise attack on Israel. The attack has resulted in over 1,400 deaths and 4,450 injuries in Israel.
In response, Israel has targeted Hamas locations in Gaza with airstrikes and imposed a complete blockade, cutting off food, water, and fuel supplies that were previously provided voluntarily until all hostages are released.
The Gaza Health Ministry, backed by Hamas, claims that over 3,000 civilians have been killed and more than 12,500 injured in Gaza.
How does Nikki Haley suggest that Hamas may be using the release of hostages to gain favor with the United States?
L=”nofollow”>statement, saying, “The release of the hostages is a positive development, and we welcome their return to Israel. However, there are still many innocent civilians being held hostage by Hamas, and we call on the international community to exert pressure on the terrorist organization to release them immediately.”
The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in numerous casualties and significant destruction. The release of the American hostages brings a glimmer of hope in the midst of this turmoil, but it also raises questions about Hamas’ motives.
Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, suggests that Hamas may be using the release of the hostages as a ploy to gain favor with the United States. She points to Qatar’s involvement in the mediation efforts, stating that they have a track record of trying to earn favor by facilitating hostage releases.
Haley also highlights the strategic reasons behind Hamas’ actions. She believes that Hamas is concerned about Israel launching a ground war, which could lead to significant losses for the terrorist group. Iran, which supports Hamas, shares this concern. By releasing a few hostages, Hamas hopes to prevent Israel from entering Gaza and weaken international support for Israeli military action.
The release of Judith Tai Raanan and Natalie Raanan is indeed a positive step, but it should not distract from the fact that there are still over 200 hostages held captive in Gaza. Haley emphasizes the importance of the Biden administration’s involvement in negotiating the release of these remaining hostages. She also stresses the need for unwavering support for Israel in this ongoing conflict.
Israel’s response to the hostage release echoes Haley’s sentiments. While acknowledging the positive development, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson emphasizes that many innocent civilians are still being held hostage by Hamas. The international community is urged to put pressure on Hamas to release these hostages immediately.
The release of American hostages by Hamas during this conflict raises important questions about the motivations and tactics of the terrorist organization. Haley’s observations and concerns shed light on the potential strategic calculations behind the hostage release. As the Hamas-Israel conflict continues, it is crucial for the United States and its allies to remain vigilant and steadfast in their support for Israel while working towards the safe return of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
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