Hamas: They Know The Longer They Slow The Release The Dead,The Longer They Hold Their Weapon”Dichter

The former Shin Bet director stated that the militant organization understands that by dragging out the return of dead captives, they can indefinitely postpone the second phase of the agreement, which requires them to relinquish their weapons.

According to Dichter, Hamas views disarmament not as a negotiable boundary but as an entirely impassable barrier, making it far more significant than a mere sticking point in negotiations.

“They understand that the more they can slow down the pace of the deceased hostages’ return, the longer they delay the execution of the second phase: laying down arms,” says the former Shin Bet chief.

“For them, this is not a red line, it is a red corridor.”

Beyond criticizing Hamas’s current tactics, Dichter also questioned Israel’s military strategy during the conflict, arguing that the Israeli Defense Forces should have seized Gaza City much earlier in the war.

He contended that such aggressive action would have compelled Hamas to accept a hostage agreement more quickly.

The Likud minister referenced fundamental military principles, suggesting that maximum force should be applied at the beginning of any combat operation.

He maintained that capturing Gaza City from the outset would have been strategically decisive.

Dichter acknowledged that Israeli forces failed to occupy Gaza City and numerous other neighborhoods throughout the Strip during the conflict.

He further stated that when Hamas proved deceptive during negotiations for a partial exchange agreement, Israeli leadership should have altered its approach, recognizing that controlling Gaza City represented a pivotal turning point.