Qatar-Based Author and Former Israeli MK Azmi Bishara: Hamas Should Have Immediately Released the Civilian Hostages Captured on October 7 – This Would Have Won It the Moral High Ground, Political Benefit; Civilian Hostages Are a Burden, Soldiers Are Much More Valuable

Qatar-based author and Former Israeli Knesset Member Azmi Bishara said in an October 8, 2024 interview on Al-Araby TV (Qatar) that it would have been “better” had Hamas only stormed military bases and taken soldiers hostage during its October 7, 2023 invasion of southern Israel, and he asserted that once Hamas realized it had taken civilians – including women, children, and the elderly – as hostages, it should have released them immediately. He explained that civilian hostages are a burden, that captive soldiers are a much more effective bargaining chip, and that immediately releasing the civilian hostages would have won Hamas the moral high ground, giving it significant political benefits. Later in the interview, he said: “We cannot say to the world that we are being subjected to a genocide and at the same time write on social media that we are winning. How can you be winning if you are subject to a genocide?”