...is abhorrent...but it works...
The PLO, which was the predecessor of Hamas tried to negotiate in good faith (without hostages) with Israel to get Palestinian prisoners released. they did not get a single one released. Now Hamas (with hostages) are getting hundreds of Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jails, including one that has been incarcerated for 40 years who the PLO tried and failed to get released. This is making (rightly or wrongly) Hamas more popular than ever in the eyes of Palestinian people!
The PLO, which was the predecessor of Hamas tried to negotiate in good faith (without hostages) with Israel to get Palestinian prisoners released. they did not get a single one released. Now Hamas (with hostages) are getting hundreds of Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jails, including one that has been incarcerated for 40 years who the PLO tried and failed to get released. This is making (rightly or wrongly) Hamas more popular than ever in the eyes of Palestinian people!