Tamir Hayman, head of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and former head of Military Intelligence in the IDF, urged the need to present Hamas with a clear ultimatum: release all hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire or return to high-intensity combat.
In a post he shared on his X account (formerly Twitter), Hayman noted that time is working against Israel in several respects. He stated that Hamas is exploiting the relative calm to strengthen its military capabilities, which may complicate the situation for Israel in the event of renewed fighting. Meanwhile, the hostages continue to suffer in harsh conditions in tunnels in Gaza, and U.S. pressure on Hamas to return them is increasingly diminishing.
“The ultimatum serves Israel’s interests despite the inherent risks,” Hayman wrote. “We must take advantage of the current momentum to exert maximum pressure on Hamas and prevent a situation where Israel loses attention and maneuverability in the political arena.”
Hayman concluded by calling on the political echelon to make swift and decisive decisions: “Israel must choose between continuing the false calm or taking clear action that will lead to the release of the hostages and ensure the security of its citizens.”
