In its attack on Saturday, Hamas not only struck hard into Israeli territory, it also offered itself a grisly life insurance policy. Before retreating to the Gaza Strip, from where they had set out to wreak havoc, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades captured nearly 150 Israelis, according to Israel, who are currently being held in the enclave. Benjamin Netanyahu's government now faces a terrible dilemma: to favour negotiation at the risk of showing its weakness, or to hit Hamas hard, even if it means causing casualties among the hostages.
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