Yeah, well who knows. Maybe ? (Re. the reporting being confident that he's being told the truth.)
This situation is incredibly difficult and horrendous.
The hostages could very well be deceased.
I think -- Hamas would have to show a modicum of mercy that I don't think they're capable of -- esp. in regards to the hostages who only have Israeli citizenship.
They'd have to have keep these people alive and tend to the wounded.
Like, the full wrath of Hamas might fall on those whom Hamas considers, "their deadliest enemies" ?
Could be totally wrong --- but I think that having dual citizenship with another nation may have helped to keep the two released women alive ?
Idk, just guessing.
There might be a ton of negotiating going on that we aren't privy to, so to speak.
What if --for instance-- Hamas says to Israel : "Hold off on the ground invasion for two weeks and we'll release four hostages." ?
And during that time they scurry around like sneaky little creatures and relocate their weapons/ammo from the destroyed areas and set their equipment up in different tunnels ?
And then the two weeks is up, and they say something like : "Welp, too bad, so sad. Your previous rocket attacks killed them. This was your fault. No hostages will be released ."
Hamas and their supporters are --imo-- liars.
I think the best hope for any surviving hostages is for Israel to go in and not give them any more time to retaliate around and inside people's homes, mosques, or hospitals.
Omo.
