As a businessman with 30 years of negotiation experience, I’ve learned two vital principles: First, structure deals you’d accept if roles were reversed to ensure mutual respect and stability. Second, ambiguity is destructive. Clear terms and pathways are essential to prevent misinterpretation and bad faith, especially in phased agreements. Good faith — truth, commitment, and transparency — must underpin every successful deal.
Any deal that does not demand the release of all hostages now is set up to fail.
The proposed Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage exchange deal is fraught with risks. The release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners, 20% of whom have long sentences and are likely convicted murderers, among whom are likely to be many would-be Sinwar replacements, in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages — freed incrementally over six weeks — invites bad faith. This staggered approach requires Israel’s continued negotiation with terrorists. Hamas will use the time to rearm, reorganize, and manipulate terms.
Hamas is a terrorist organization rooted in violence and deceit. Trusting Hamas to uphold agreements is unrealistic. For lasting peace, Hamas must be disbanded, its leadership held accountable, and Gaza demilitarized.
The genocide of Jews and the destruction of Israel are at the heart of the Hamas charter. Hamas represents the lovers of death. The organization is fragmented, and I do not believe there stands one person who has the authority to bind any “deal” — another misnomer in all of this.
The Iranian regime will continue supporting and forcing its proxies of terror to its desired outcome, which is to unleash terror and pursue its mission of global jihad. It is unlikely that Hamas will be allowed to give up its only leverage, which guarantees its survival.
Any deal that does not demand the release of all hostages now is set up to fail, because there is too long a period and too much left undefined. I am sorry, but this deal is not set up for success. I hope we can get as many hostages as possible home alive and consider these events yet another phase in the war of October 7.
October 7 terror attack, Israel hamas war, Benjamin netanyahu, Hamas hostages, Donald trump, Joe biden, Ceasefire, Opinion & analysis
