Hamas' latest decision to delay the release of hostages—on the false pretext of Israeli "truce violations"—is yet another grotesque manipulation designed to prolong suffering, extract further concessions, and maintain its stranglehold over the Palestinian people.

Let us be absolutely clear: Hamas has never negotiated in good faith. It does not seek peace. It does not seek coexistence. It does not even seek a better future for Palestinians. Its only objective is the destruction of Israel, and it weaponises human lives—both Israeli and Palestinian—to achieve that goal.

This latest ploy is part of a well-worn strategy: agree to a deal, stall on implementation, fabricate excuses, and extract further concessions while the world watches in feigned helplessness. The Israeli hostages should never have been taken in the first place. Their continued captivity is not a political bargaining chip—it is a war crime.

The fact that Hamas can delay and dictate the fate of innocent civilians while the international community remains largely silent is a damning indictment of the moral failure that has allowed this terrorist group to operate with impunity.

We call on the UK government and the international community to unequivocally condemn Hamas’ hostage diplomacy and demand the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages—without negotiation, without delay, and without further enabling this cycle of blackmail.

There is no ceasefire without justice. There is no truce while hostages remain in underground cells. Hamas must not be rewarded for its barbarity. The world must stop indulging the myth that this terrorist regime can be reasoned with. Terrorism cannot be appeased—it must be defeated.