Episode 50: Hostage Deal - A new day for Gaza, a bad day for Hamas

47 snips

Oct 9, 2025

A historic peace and hostage release deal has emerged, with significant implications for Gaza's future. The agreement offers rebuilding opportunities and prevents annexation, benefiting the region. Contrastingly, Hamas faces substantial challenges as it must disarm and cede authority. The podcast explores the shifting support from regional players and questions whether Hamas can adapt or survive. Analyzing the deal's potential for regional stability, it raises concerns about upcoming phases and the role of international forces. The moment presents a blend of hope and uncertainty.

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ANECDOTE

Personal Dedication To A Hostage

The Goldstein family adopted Romi Gonen's name and made her part of daily prayers and meals at their table.
They tracked her recovery and celebrated her release, illustrating personal community dedication to hostages.

INSIGHT

Silence Reveals Campaign Priorities

The deal exposes the silence of many pro-Palestinian activists who previously demanded a ceasefire.
Haviv argues their quiet reveals that their core supporters did not truly want the ceasefire outcome on offer.

INSIGHT

A Best-Case Future For Gaza

The Trump deal is framed as the best possible outcome for Gaza: no annexation, rehabilitation, and return rights for those who leave.
Haviv contends this makes the agreement a major win for Gaza's future prospects.

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On October 8, President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to his peace and hostage release deal. Israel's tormented hostages will soon be home.

The agreement delivers almost everything the pro-Palestinian campaign claimed to want. No Israeli annexation, no Gazans have to leave and any who do can return, and a full rebuilding and rehabilitation under Arab and international auspices - all of it confirmed in an explicit Israeli commitment to the United States.

It's the best possible deal for Gaza.

And that's exactly why it's the worst possible deal for Hamas. Only Hamas loses here, only Hamas is required to disarm - or pretend to for a while. To relinquish authority - or pretend to for a while. It's no longer possible to pretend that Gaza's interests and Hamas's interests are the same. You can support one or the other, but not both.

So will it work? And what does it tell us about the past two years, and about the future of Israelis and Palestinians?

This episode was sponsored by the Goldstein family of Monsey, NY for the Refuah Shleimah (full and complete healing) of former hostage Romi Gonen and all the hostages. The Goldstein family writes: “Romi’s name was given to us 'randomly' (though nothing is truly random) by one of the hostage sites that sprang up after 10/7, to connect those who wanted to pray for hostages with an individual name and face. I printed this out, and Romi’s beautiful young face and name was taped to a chair at our dining table. Every breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there was Romi. Every Shabbos, there was Romi. We read more about her online, how she loves dance and leopard print clothes, how she had been a Tzofim (Scouts) leader, and I thought how much her troop of girls must miss her. I saw videos and interviews with her amazing mother Meirav as well, a powerful and articulate fellow Jewish mother. When Romi’s name was announced as one of the young women scheduled for release, our prayers were being answered! Seeing her walking out, being embraced by her family! We cheered, and cried. And we continue to cheer for Romi. Through multiple surgeries, through what looks like grueling physical therapy, Romi is prevailing. Romi, and every former and current hostage, continue to be in our prayers. They are extraordinary, every one of them."

If you like this podcast, please join us on Patreon to support our work: https://www.patreon.com/AskHavivAnything⁠.

If you would like to sponsor an episode, please email us at haviv@askhavivanything.com⁠.

Musical intro by Adam Ben Amitai.