Hamas recently released 12 more hostages — 10 Israelis and two Thai nationals — to the Red Cross, per the Israeli prime minister’s office, despite earlier allegations of violations of the deal that brought this conflict to a temporary halt.

Red Cross representatives sent the 12 liberated hostages to Egypt, and they were subsequently flown via helicopter to Israeli hospitals, where their families anxiously waited, according to authorities from the Israel Defense Forces.

Previously, the IDF revealed that several of its troops were lightly wounded in three different explosions and a subsequent shooting in northern Gaza. A Hamas official who serves as a spokesman for its military wing claimed that “a field clash” occurred after Israeli troops allegedly violated the terms of the cease-fire agreement.

The militant group vowed to abide by the truce provided that Israel sticks to its end of the agreement. 

The deal to put a temporary halt to the war was extended by two days beyond its original expiration on November 28, 2023. Hamas released nearly 50 hostages as part of the initial agreement. An additional 20 hostages are expected to be released in the next two days, in exchange for the continued release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel.

This far, Israel has released 150 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from jail. It expects Hamas to free an additional 10 hostages on November 28, in exchange for 30 Palestinians prisoners.

Prisoner exchanges should be encouraged as much as possible. Ultimately, the US needs to stop sending military aid to Israel and stop providing it with diplomatic cover. Israel needs to be left alone to fend for itself and its interests like any other normal nation. 

No more special treatment.