Hostages may face increased danger as Hamas loses control in Gaza

In late May 2025, Israeli defense officials expressed deep concern over the potential fate of hostages held by Hamas as the situation in Gaza deteriorates. Amid ongoing conflicts, it was reported that senior Hamas leaders are growing increasingly frustrated, raising fears that they may attempt to flee the enclave with hostages as leverage during negotiations. This alarming development comes with deep implications for ceasefire talks, impacting not only the hostages' safety but complicating negotiations with various factions instead of just Hamas. Families of the 58 remaining hostages, including 22 believed to be alive, were informed of these risks. The Israeli military has continued its operations against Hamas, including successful strikes against key leaders, which may drive the group into desperate actions such as using captives to gain bargaining power. Defense sources are pushing for an urgent agreement to secure the hostages' release before the situation worsens. The broader context of this crisis involves a recently proposed U.S.-brokered 60-day ceasefire, which Israel has tentatively accepted, although Hamas's reluctance to agree stems from concerns over losing leverage. The proposed deal includes releasing 28 hostages—10 alive and 18 deceased—in exchange for a significant number of Palestinian prisoners and remains, yet there’s a lack of consensus about the plan’s viability. This deadlock only heightens the urgency placed on families worried about their loved ones who remain at risk in such an unstable environment. Retired Major General Eliezer Marom pointed out that the complete eradication of Hamas is not practical, given the population dynamics within Gaza. He believes that Hamas could persist in some form as long as there are residents in Gaza. However, he also advocates for dismantling their military capabilities while establishing a reconstruction framework involving moderate Arab states, the United States, Israel, and Egypt, excluding Hamas. As local clans step in to aid distribution due to Hamas's diminishing governance, the ongoing military actions further pressure the group, possibly leading to even more desperate strategies in managing hostages while navigating a chaotic landscape.