Article published in the Daily Express, 14 October 2025. © Richard Kemp

Hamas would never have given up one of their two most important assets, the hostages, unless they recognised their own defeat.

That defeat was achieved by the might and courage of the Israel Defence Force in Gaza. It was also achieved by Israel’s assault on Iran and the strike against Qatar, both of which decisively undermined and isolated Hamas.

All of this was due to the remarkable leadership and tenacity of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the face of the most tremendous resistance both internationally and even at home.

Nevertheless we are far from the end of the road.

Hamas will not go quietly and, since Israel’s withdrawal from parts of Gaza, we have already seen widespread murders and assaults against their opponents.

They have also been reinforced by the release of some 250 convicted terrorists.

Whether Hamas is disarmed and Gaza demilitarised will depend on how the remaining elements of Trump’s 20 point plan unfold, including governance, security and rebuilding. That will be down to how much international players, especially in the Arab world, are actually willing to put their money where their mouth is.

Israel will be watching this very closely, and preparing for further intervention in Gaza if necessary. It can never again take the kind of risks that led to October 7.

The extent to which Hamas’s feet are held to the fire is also in the hands of the West, whose lily-livered appeasement has for decades served to encourage the jihadists.

The condemnations of Israel in Western capitals, the weekly hate marches and the incessant anti-Israel media bias have been Hamas’s second most important asset, next to the hostages. (more…)