In a recent appearance on Fox Business, former U.S. Army Special Forces operator Jim Hanson expressed skepticism over a statement from Hamas, suggesting it contained "poison pills" that could potentially sabotage any enduring peace efforts.
According to the Western Journal, Hanson's comments came in response to Hamas's declaration of readiness to release all remaining hostages and step aside under President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan. However, this is contingent on a collective agreement among Palestinian factions and approval from Arab and Islamic allies.
Hanson, during his appearance on "The Evening Edit," criticized Hamas's insistence on full integration into a future Palestinian governance framework. He accused the group of adhering to an agenda steeped in terror and illusion.
"There are definitely a couple of poison pills in the Hamas statement. The biggest one is that the end state they anticipate is a unified Palestinian framework with Hamas completely involved. No, that's not going to be the way it plays out," Hanson stated.
Hanson further urged Hamas to abandon their weapons and renounce their long-standing genocidal attempts against the Jews. He emphasized the need for Hamas to acknowledge the progression of the Palestinian people without them.
"They need to put down their weapons. They need to renounce their decades-long genocidal attempt to drive the Jews into the sea and accept the fact that the Palestinian people are moving on without them," he said.
Despite the looming Sunday deadline, Hanson expressed doubts about Hamas's willingness to comply. "They don't seem to have come to that conclusion yet, and they're acting like they're reading from some sort of a la carte menu rather than 20 points they need to agree to, or President Trump's going to give Bibi Netanyahu the green light," Hanson added.
Hanson also expressed concerns about Hamas's sincerity in the negotiation process. "It was a reminder to Hamas that the end state could be rubble doesn't make trouble if they don't go ahead and start acting seriously," Hanson said. "There are legitimate concerns that need to be addressed, and this is not the time they were talking about. You know, they'll release some hostages and then they'll get to negotiations about the details."
President Trump has issued a stern warning to Hamas, stating that they must agree to the ceasefire terms by 6:00 p.m. EST on Sunday or face a formidable military response. This ultimatum was posted on Truth Social, where Trump referred to it as the group's "last chance" to avoid destruction.
The Palestinian population under Hamas control has implored the group to accept the deal, hoping to bring an end to the ongoing turmoil and suffering. According to United Nations' figures, over 33,000 people have been displaced in Gaza, with nearly a quarter facing severe hunger amid daily mass casualty events.
Under Trump's plan, Hamas is required to release all hostages and surrender control of Gaza to an International Stabilization Force. Palestinian technocrats would advise the force, while Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair would jointly lead it.
This plan, if accepted and implemented, could potentially bring about a significant shift in the region's dynamics, offering a glimmer of hope for lasting peace. However, the ball remains in Hamas's court, and their next move will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications.
Login