If Hamas Freed the Hostages, Gaza Could Have Had Peace—Here’s Why:The land once inhabited by the Philistines has long been a crossroads of civilizations. Stretching along the Mediterranean coast, its ancient cities—Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron—were central to trade, culture, and conflict thousands of years ago. Today, the Gaza Strip occupies much of that same ground, yet its history is no longer defined by commerce or prosperity. Instead, Gaza has become synonymous with war, displacement, and political strife.
While the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians dominates headlines, one truth is often overlooked: Hamas has become not only Israel’s adversary but also the greatest obstacle to peace for the people of Gaza themselves. The hostage crisis, especially after October 7, 2023, has crystallized this reality. Had Hamas chosen to release the hostages, Gaza might have stood a chance at peace—or at least a break from endless cycles of destruction.
Ancient Roots: The Land of Philistines
The Philistines, a people of Aegean origin, settled on the coastal plain of Canaan around the 12th century BCE. Their cities thrived as centers of agriculture, craftsmanship, and maritime trade. For centuries, they were rivals to the Israelites, with stories of Goliath and Samson preserving their memory in biblical tradition.
By the 7th century BCE, the Philistines were absorbed into the Babylonian and later Persian empires, but their legacy lived on through the name Palestina, later used by the Romans and, eventually, by the modern world to describe the broader region.
For Palestinians today, this link to ancient Philistine heritage underscores a long connection to the land. But while the Philistines were known for strength and resilience, the modern Gaza Strip has become a place where those qualities are stifled by political turmoil and armed rule.
The Modern Timeline of Conflict
1948 – The Creation of Israel and the First Refugees
When the State of Israel was declared on May 14, 1948, neighboring Arab armies invaded. The war displaced over 700,000 Palestinians, many of whom fled or were forced into Gaza, then under Egyptian administration. Gaza’s population swelled dramatically, creating refugee camps that persist to this day.
1967 – Six-Day War
In June 1967, Israel captured Gaza from Egypt along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This occupation became the backdrop for decades of resentment and conflict.
1987 – First Intifada and Birth of Hamas
On December 9, 1987, the First Intifada erupted as Palestinians rose against Israeli rule. Out of this chaos, Hamas was founded as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. While other Palestinian groups like the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) pursued negotiation, Hamas emphasized armed resistance and Islamic ideology.
1993 – Oslo Accords
The Oslo Accords, signed on September 13, 1993, created a framework for limited Palestinian self-rule. The Palestinian Authority (PA) was established, but Hamas rejected the accords outright, refusing to recognize Israel.
2000 – Second Intifada
The failure of peace talks and rising tensions sparked the Second Intifada in September 2000, marked by suicide bombings and heavy Israeli military action. Hamas’s popularity grew during this period as it presented itself as the uncompromising voice of resistance.
2006 – Hamas Election Victory
In January 2006, Hamas shocked the world by winning Palestinian legislative elections. International powers demanded that it renounce violence and recognize Israel, but Hamas refused. Tensions with the rival Fatah faction escalated.
2007 – Hamas Seizes Gaza
By June 2007, Hamas had forcibly expelled Fatah and taken full control of Gaza. The result was a divided Palestinian leadership: Fatah ruling the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas ruling Gaza.
2006–2011 – The Shalit Precedent
Even before consolidating control, Hamas captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in June 2006. He was held in captivity for over five years before being released in October 2011 in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. This event demonstrated the political power Hamas could gain by holding hostages.
2014 – Gaza War
In July–August 2014, a 50-day war between Hamas and Israel killed more than 2,000 Palestinians and 70 Israelis. Once again, Hamas was accused of using civilians as human shields and embedding weapons in residential areas.
October 7, 2023 – The Deadliest Attack
On this date, Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel. Militants crossed the border, killed over 1,200 Israelis, and took about 240 hostages, including children, women, and elderly civilians. The brutality of the attack shocked the world. Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground invasion of Gaza.
November 24–30, 2023 – The Brief Truce
Mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., a temporary ceasefire allowed the release of over 100 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The pause gave civilians a glimpse of relief, but Hamas refused to extend it further, and the fighting resumed.
2024–2025 – War Without End
Throughout 2024 and into 2025, Gaza has endured devastating bombardments, widespread displacement, and humanitarian collapse. Israel insists that the war cannot end until Hamas is dismantled. Meanwhile, Hamas’s refusal to release remaining hostages ensures that the cycle of bloodshed continues.
Why Hostage Release Could Have Changed Everything
The October 2023 attack placed hostages at the heart of the conflict. Their continued captivity has been one of Hamas’s gravest mistakes—not only morally but strategically.
1. Humanitarian Breakthrough: Releasing hostages unconditionally could have opened the way for humanitarian aid, temporary ceasefires, and even broader negotiations.
2. Global Opinion: In the early months of the war, Israel faced criticism for the scale of its military response. Yet as Hamas held on to hostages, sympathy for Gaza’s civilians weakened. A gesture of goodwill might have kept the world firmly on Gaza’s side.
3. Political Legitimacy: By freeing hostages, Hamas could have repositioned itself as a defender of Palestinian dignity rather than a perpetrator of terror. Instead, it confirmed its image as a militant group indifferent to human suffering.
4. Preventing Destruction: Each day hostages remained in captivity gave Israel justification to intensify its campaign. A release might have halted or slowed the offensive, sparing thousands of lives.
The Missed Opportunity for Gaza
Hamas’s refusal to release hostages has cost Gaza dearly. Cities have been reduced to rubble, families shattered, and international trust eroded. The people of Gaza—descendants of an ancient land with a rich legacy—remain hostages themselves, trapped between militant leadership and relentless conflict.
Peace could have been within reach, or at least a fragile pause. Instead, Hamas chose the path of escalation, ensuring that both Israelis and Palestinians remain locked in mistrust and vengeance.
Conclusion: Lessons from Philistine’s Legacy
The ancient Philistines eventually disappeared, absorbed into greater empires. Their memory survives as a reminder of resilience but also of how quickly civilizations can fade when crushed by larger forces. Gaza today risks a similar fate—its people overshadowed by the ambitions of Hamas and the retaliatory might of Israel.
History may one day look back at October 7, 2023 as a turning point. Had Hamas freed the hostages, it might have preserved lives, opened humanitarian corridors, and even rekindled the possibility of peace. Instead, by clinging to them, it turned Gaza into a battlefield and left its people to pay the highest price.
The lesson is unmistakable: the future of Gaza cannot be built on fear, vengeance, or the captivity of innocents. Real peace will only come when leadership chooses humanity over destruction. Until then, Gaza will remain hostage not only to war but to the very rulers who claim to defend it.
