Liqaa Maki, a scholar at Al Jazeera’s media institute, contends that Hamas came out ahead politically and strategically as a result of the agreement that secured the release of American-Israeli captive Edan Alexander.
While Hamas did not receive material compensation for freeing Alexander, Maki asserts that the group reaped enormous symbolic and tactical advantages.
Maki points out that the arrangement brought to light a widening gap between Washington and Jerusalem, placing the Israeli leadership in a diplomatically uncomfortable position and underscoring a noticeable erosion in mutual confidence between the two nations.
He added that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu suffered a blow to his international standing, especially in how he is now perceived by President Donald Trump.
Maki argues that Hamas managed to plant the idea that Israel places greater value on the safety of American nationals over its own citizens and succeeded in setting a new standard: direct engagement between Hamas and the US, bypassing Israel entirely.
He concluded that Hamas’s most impactful success was maneuvering the United States into a role that might lead to a ceasefire in Gaza, a development that runs counter to Israel’s intentions.
{Matzav.com Israel}