لحظة ادراك

 Trump... and the Hell of the Middle East

On Monday, December 2, President-elect Donald Trump posted striking statements on his Truth Social platform, which he owns, breaking from conventional political rhetoric regarding the issue of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Here’s the text of his post:

"Everyone is talking about the hostages being held violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire world in the Middle East. But it's all just talk, no action. If the hostages are not released by January 20, 2025, the date I proudly take office as President of the United States, there will be hell in the Middle East—a costly hell for those responsible for committing these atrocities against humanity. Those accountable will face a blow stronger than any in the long and storied history of the United States. Release the hostages now."

Trump's statement comes just a day after Al-Qassam Brigades aired a video on Al Jazeera featuring a 21-year-old Israeli-American hostage, Aidan Alexander, who spoke in both Hebrew and English:

*"My name is Aidan Alexander. I have been a Hamas captive for more than 420 days. To Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: I heard you speak to the people of Israel on the news, and I am very disappointed. I heard that you would offer five million dollars to bring us back alive. A prime minister is supposed to protect his citizens, and you have abandoned us. Our captors have informed us of new instructions in case the military reaches us. Fear is at its peak, and we are dying a thousand times every day with no one feeling our pain.

People of Israel, do not abandon us. We want to return home with our minds intact. Fear and isolation are killing us. Please, do not forget us. It is unreasonable for us to pay the price for a mistake the government made. Please, people of Israel, protest every day and pressure the government. It is time to end this nightmare.

To President Trump: My name is Aidan Alexander. I am an American-Israeli citizen currently held in Gaza. As an American, I have always believed in the strength of the United States, and now I appeal to you. Please use your influence as President of the United States in all possible ways to negotiate for our freedom. Every day we spend here feels eternal, and the pain within us grows day by day. Please do not repeat the mistake made by Biden. The weapons he sent are killing us now, and the illegal siege he imposed is killing us too.

I do not want to die like my fellow American, Hirsch. Mom, Dad, Mikajoy, Grandpa, Grandma, every passing day adds to the pain inside me. I miss you so much. Every day I pray to see you soon. Please, be strong. This nightmare will end; it is just a matter of time."*

Hamas did not stop at airing the hostage’s video; they also announced yesterday, in a statement covered by multiple media outlets, that ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza had resulted in the deaths of 33 hostages, with others still missing. This has further intensified this critical issue for all parties involved in the conflict.

Meanwhile, Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor in the Biden administration, told NBC, "The White House is working towards a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages, but we haven’t reached that point yet. We are making strenuous efforts to achieve this. We are deeply engaged with key actors in the region, and there is ongoing work even today. There will be further talks and consultations, and we hope to reach an agreement. But we haven’t gotten there yet."

It is undeniable that the media coverage paints a clear picture of the unprecedented momentum this issue is gaining for several reasons:

Key Factors Driving Escalation:

1. Transition of Power in the U.S.:

   • The Biden administration is keen to resolve hot-button issues in the Middle East before handing over power to Trump. Having secured a ceasefire in Lebanon, they are now pushing for a similar agreement in Gaza.

2. Hamas’s Dwindling Options:

   • Under intense military pressure, Hamas views the hostage issue as its lifeline, hoping to secure a prisoner exchange deal to save face. They are fully aware that Trump, upon taking office, will lack Biden’s patience or nuanced approach and will align entirely with Netanyahu's hardline stance.

3. Netanyahu’s "Three Nos":

   • No full withdrawal from Gaza.
   • No complete halt to the war.
   • No symbolic victory for Hamas.
     Netanyahu aims to use any agreement as a gift to Trump, not Biden, and is leveraging Hamas's desperation to extract concessions previously off the table, especially after Hezbollah's withdrawal from active support.

Messages from Hamas via the Video:

1. Resilience:

   • Hamas is emphasizing its ability to keep hostages alive, undermining Israeli military efforts and exploiting Netanyahu's vulnerabilities by rallying public dissent against his policies.

2. Cautionary Warning:

   • A stark message to Netanyahu that any attempt to buy freedom with money will backfire, costing hostages' lives.

3. An Appeal to Trump:

   • By invoking "America's strength and greatness," Hamas seeks to engage Trump’s ego and leverage his influence to advance negotiations.

4. Criticism of Biden’s Policies:

   • Explicitly highlighting Biden's failures and urging Trump not to repeat them, framing Biden’s actions as harmful to both hostages and the broader humanitarian situation.

Trump’s Response:

1. Rejection of Biden’s Approach:

   • Trump’s post underscores his disapproval of Biden’s strategies, vowing swift and decisive action in contrast to what he perceives as endless talk.

2. A Warning to Hamas:

   • A clear threat that unprecedented retribution awaits if hostages are not released before January 20.

3. A Signal to Middle Eastern Supporters of Hamas:

   • Trump promises a policy dominated by force, signaling that America's "strength and greatness" will be directed against them if needed.

Reactions from Key Players:

1. Netanyahu:

   • Netanyahu praised Trump’s response, reflecting their aligned perspectives.

2. Hamas:

   • While Hamas issued no official statement, affiliated social media accounts downplayed Trump’s threats, citing his history of empty rhetoric and the belief that Israel’s current actions in Gaza are already at their peak.

3. The Biden Administration:

   • Biden’s team avoided directly addressing Trump’s remarks but reiterated their ongoing efforts toward a ceasefire and hostage release.

Conclusion:

Hamas continues to miscalculate by involving itself in U.S. internal politics and misunderstanding Trump’s likely reactions. Exploiting hostages for psychological warfare only exacerbates the humanitarian toll and strengthens Israel's brutal military response, further deepening Gaza's plight.