Some comments. First, it would be for only some of the hostages. Second, and noteworthy, it would be “one-for-one”, in other words an Israeli life would have the same worth as a Palestinian life. Also, it is a women and children deal only, which is some of the worst optics for Hamas of the Iranian-planned Oct. 7 attacks. “Negotiations for a deal are underway, with the various players working on a framework of an agreement, according to the two Israeli officials, who are involved in the Israeli effort to release the hostages through a deal, as well as a third with knowledge of the matter. Under the proposal, Hamas would release 50 women and children abducted during the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks for roughly the same number of Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.” See “Israel and Hamas Appear to Be Near Hostage Deal, Officials Say,” NYT, 11-15-23. Last, at both the Free Palestine (Nov. 4) and the March for Israel (Nov. 14) events in D.C., only the second event stressed releasing the (Israeli) hostages–why did the first protest not emphasize releasing persons in Israeli custody?
I post this because I try to cover all news of Iran, even if I don’t believe the story. It is part of my methodology for this blog, that I present the news as Iran itself reports, as others report, and as I interpret it. With regard to this particular story, first, nothing that is said by the Supreme Leader can be taken at face value, based on track record. Second, it could be a planted story by Iran, to persuade Israel to let its guard down. Third, I don’t put much credence in this report because Iran has directed its proxies to attack the U.S. over 50 times since Oct. 7. Fourth, the WSJ (no was has refuted their story yet) reported the planning meetings before Oct. 7 by Hamas and Iran in Lebanon, involving two right hand men of the Ayatollah, the FM and the head of Hamas. Last, Iran does not want to fight an open war, it knows it will lose. See “Report: Khamenei told Haniyeh that Iran will not directly enter war,” Times of Israel, 11-15-23. The short article recites, “According to a report in Reuters, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh earlier this month: You gave us no warning of your Oct. 7 attack on Israel and we will not enter the war on your behalf. The Reuters report cites “three senior officials” as saying that Khamenei told Haniyeh that while Iran would offer political support to Hamas, it would not “intervene directly.” The Iranian leader reportedly asked Haniyeh to “silence those voices” in Hamas who are calling for Iran and Hezbollah to directly join the war against Israel “in full force.””
“Iran’s nuclear enrichment advances as it stonewalls UN, IAEA reports show,” Reuters, 11-15-23.
Quote of the Day: “We must deny these terror groups Iran’s resources by permanently freezing the $6B in Qatar, $10B in Iraq, and enforcing sanctions for China’s purchases of Iranian oil,” said Senator Jim Risch, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Why would Pres. Biden now, after some 10 Americans remain in captivity by Iran’s orders in Gaza, give access to another $10B? See “Biden Allows Iran to Access Another $10 Billion Amid Gaza War,” Iran International, 11-15-23.
“Iran increases stockpile of near weapon-grade uranium by 5%,” Spokesman-Review, 11-15-23.
“300 Arrested in Mixed-Gender Party in Iran,” Iran Wire, 11-15-23. If this had been Hamas with a green light to not just arrest, but to murder at a giant party (ironically for freedom), think what could have happened ….
“Iranian law enforcement … freed Nasrin Sotoudeh, an internationally recognized human rights lawyer who was imprisoned for more than two weeks … while attending the funeral of Armita Garawand, who activists say was beaten to death by Tehran’s morality police.” See “Human Rights Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Freed in Iran,” VOA, 11-15-23.