I have been thinking about this for a while.
While I think PM Netanyahu could be more flexible in his position on a potential hostage deal, and while I do think he is more concerned about politics and the survival of his coalition than achieving a hostage deal and the survival of the hostages, though I am sure he wants one, I am hesitant to blame Bibi for the lack of a deal.
No matter what Bibi might offer, no matter how much reasonable flexibility Bibi might show, Hamas will continue to reject it, and nobody seems to be able to pressure them to accept.
It is not Bibi's fault the hostage deals have not gone through. It is Hamas's fault.
Bibi could play the game better, knowing Hamas is rejecting everything anyway, he could at least make it look as if he cares about the hostages and as if he is willing to be flexible.
This nonsense of increased military pressure being the only option for getting the hostages back is hogwash. It has been more than ten months of increased military pressure and Hamas has not shown to be more flexible in its positions due to the pressure - no new hostages have been released in any deals because of the increased military pressure, and only small numbers of hostages have been located (dead or alive) and been brought home. Keep the pressure up, and even increase it, but the only way to get the hostages back is with a deal.
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