Hamas terrorists only returned the American mother and daughter held hostage on Friday for “calculated” reasons, an expert claimed.
In a conversation with The Post Friday, former FBI agent and hostage expert Christopher O’Leary cautioned the public not to be swayed by Hamas’ claims that they released Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie, for “humanitarian reasons. “
“They are [returned the Raanans] for calculated reasons,” O’Leary quipped, noting that “Hamas doesn’t have a humane bone in their body.”
“This is a deliberate and calculated act, not good intentions or goodwill … they are playing long with hostages,” he concluded.
O’Leary speculates that Judith or Natalie may have “medical problems” that prevent terrorist groups from keeping them in Gaza long-term; sources later told the Times of Israel that the two women were released because of Judith’s health.
Judith and Natalie Raanan were released by Hamas on Friday, nearly two weeks after being held hostage.AP
“[Hamas] maybe doing this to build some credibility as a negotiator,” O’Leary argued, referring to ongoing efforts to forge peace between Hamas and Israel, which have been locked in bloody turmoil since the former Al-Fanjir Aqsa Operation on Oct. 7.
“At the moment they don’t look like legitimate negotiators,” he explained.
“You need to be able to show that you are a legitimate partner in the exchange.”
Palestinians transport captured Israeli civilians from Kibbutz Kfar Azza to the Gaza Strip during a deadly attack on the community on Oct. 7. AP Photos of hostages captured by Hamas are displayed on an electronic billboard in New York’s Times Square. James Keivom
“[Releasing the Raanans] also helps counter the narrative that Biden put out yesterday, going after Hamas, categorizing them as a terrorist organization,” added O’Leary.
But despite Hamas’ best efforts, O’Leary concluded, the group is still “a very important terrorist organization.”
“The taking of hostages is a violation of international law and human rights,” he said.
Speaking to The Post just a day before Judith and Natalie Raanan’s release, O’Leary admitted that a military rescue may be out of the question for the 203 hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
“We have never seen a case like this in the modern era,” he said.
Instead, he suggested, the US and Qatar should take the lead in negotiating a favorable release.
In its official statement on Raanan’s release, Hamas confirmed that the agreement was reached in part due to Qatari intervention.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
