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Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) National President Morton A. Klein released the following statement:
As the heartbreaking, painful, two-year anniversary of the horrific October 7 atrocities and torture of Israeli hostages approaches, Hamas continues to “negotiate” on and reject the deal by rejecting the core parts of the deal that are essential for Israel and peace. As ZOA previously wrote, numerous aspects of the 20-point deal were deeply concerning – but the deal could receive our qualified support because the deal called for Israel to obtain a few essential items. But Hamas’ statements and negotiations now reveal that Hamas is determined to torpedo the few essential advantages that the deal has for Israel, and to exacerbate the deal’s dangers to Israel. It is the classic Palestinian Arab deceptive bait and switch.
Significantly, Hamas is refusing to release the hostages within 72 hours and to disarm or leave Gaza. Further, Hamas is now demanding that the worst terrorist leaders imaginable – guilty of multiple murders – be released to kill and reconstitute Hamas and organize mass terror attacks against innocent Jews again.
Hamas is also demanding that Israel fully withdraw from Gaza on strict timetables regardless of Hamas’ actions – instead of withdrawing to the 20-point deal’s agreed-upon line until conditions are met for a further staged withdrawal. Hamas’ demands mean they are rejecting the deal and destroying the essential deal provision that could enable Israelis to return to and rebuild southern Israel in a modicum of safety.
Hamas is also insisting that it will continue to be in a “comprehensive” Gazan government – another demand that kills fundamental purposes of the 20-point deal, and places Israel in the same dangerous situation it faced two years ago. As Secy. of State Rubio stated, “If you want peace . . . Gaza cannot be governed ‘by Hamas or anything that looks like Hamas.’”
An excellent article by Dr. Avi Perry explains that Hamas’ refusal to disarm or leave Gaza, and refusal to release all the hostages within 72 hours are
“in fact, outright rejections of the plan’s core demands. . . . Hamas’ “yes… but” is simply a hard “no.” … These are not side issues to be bargained down in endless negotiations. They are the essence of Israel’s war effort and the prerequisite for any sustainable peace. Without them, Gaza remains a launchpad for terror, Israeli families remain hostage to Hamas’s cruelty, and Israel remains in a perpetual state of siege. Hamas knows this. That is why their rejection is framed as a “yes… but.” They hope to exploit international pressure, to present themselves as reasonable, and to paint Israel as the spoiler if the deal collapses. But behind the diplomatic smoke, their message is plain: Hamas intends to stay, and Hamas intends to fight. . . . [D]eals require both sides to accept the fundamentals. (Hamas’ Response to Trump: A Clear “No” Disguised as “Yes… but,” Israel Nat’l News, Oct. 4, 2025)
Without the immediate release of the hostages, the reason for the deal collapses. The hostages have been in Hamas’ cruel captivity for way too long. Hamas has already blown through the Sunday, October 5 at 6 p.m. deadline established by President Trump.
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