Expert Estimates: "There Are 20-30 Hostages There"

Shlomi Eldar, author of *Hamas: From Social Movement to War Crimes*, analyzes the situation in Gaza and the likelihood of reaching a deal, stating that without the elimination of Yahya Sinwar, the war will not end. In an interview on Radio 103FM, Eldar said, "There is no scenario where increasing pressure will lead them to release the hostages. This will not happen not only because of Sinwar but because it hasn’t worked in the past."

Eldar emphasizes that "Hamas is defeated; it has suffered a severe blow, with most of its battalions being crushed. It can only end with the elimination of Yahya Sinwar, but that won’t happen either because we are almost 11 months in and have not captured him. Sinwar surrounds himself with hostages. The IDF knows this. Therefore, eliminating him is an impossible task; it would be possible only if we are willing to sacrifice 20-30 hostages." Concluding his remarks, Eldar added, "As long as the war in Gaza continues, and it continues aimlessly because most of the military is not in Gaza. Most of the IDF, 90 percent of the units, are outside Gaza. What is happening now is just maintaining the status quo."