On the agreement that seals the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas

ACOM welcomes the agreement reached between the U.S. Administration, the Government of the State of Israel, and several moderate Arab countries. The text clearly and operationally reflects the fundamental demands Israel has set out since the start of the war: the immediate handover of the 48 hostages held by Hamas—within a maximum of 72 hours, whether through their release alive or the return of their bodies; the surrender of weapons and the capitulation of Hamas terrorists, with the possibility of requesting safe passage for those who lay down their arms; the complete demilitarization of the territory, including the destruction of the tunnel network and the launch of a process of re-education for peace under a civil administration composed of Western leaders and representatives of moderate Arab states; and facilitating the voluntary relocation of Gazan residents who prefer to move to other areas.

ACOM considers these measures to be the essential groundwork for bringing to a close a war that Hamas began in the most cruel and inhuman manner, and which dragged on for two years with the enthusiastic support of a significant portion of Gaza’s population. The international community’s irresponsibility—refusing to center the solution on defeating Hamas and unconditionally freeing the hostages, more than 50 of whom were murdered in captivity—has helped prolong the conflict and multiply the suffering, both for Israeli society and for non-combatant Palestinians. Every death is Hamas’s responsibility. Peace has always been where Israel indicated, even when accepting painful terms to expedite a just agreement.

From now on, it is up to Hamas to accept and fully comply with its part. If it does not, Israel will be fully justified in completing its mission: the total defeat of the terrorist apparatus, until not a single armed criminal remains to threaten its population.

Three essential points in the plan accepted by Israel and supported by moderate Muslim countries confirm this. First: it stems from the success of Israel’s military campaign—constantly sabotaged from Spain and parts of Europe—which has shown that only upon Hamas’s defeat is an effective regional intervention possible. Second: it grants no role whatsoever to the corrupt Palestinian Authority; it merely alludes, in passing, to the need for a profound overhaul of its structures, laying bare the lure used by those who have whitewashed that failed entity. Third: it underscores the futility of the propagandistic recognition of a non-existent “Palestinian state”; the plan does not prioritize it, but rather makes it contingent on serious, future conditions—just as those who refused to reward terrorism have always maintained.

In short, this is a complete triumph of Israel’s position: the immediate release of the hostages; the surrender and disarmament of the terrorists; genuine demilitarization; and a civil administration oriented toward peace and development. It is also an implicit and fundamental rejection by the moderate Muslim world of the theses promoted by Pedro Sánchez, his government of radicals, and some members of Spain’s opposition, according to which Israel supposedly committed unacceptable excesses. It is precisely these Muslim countries that endorse Israel’s approach and assign it a central role in shaping Gaza’s future.

ACOM reiterates its firm support for Israel in its fight against terrorism and in the defense of its citizens. The only lasting peace will come after Hamas’s total defeat, the liberation of all the hostages, and the establishment in Gaza of a government that does not seek Israel’s destruction or the genocide of the Jews. Any other outcome is a precarious postponement and a betrayal of the victims. That—and nothing else—is the meaning of the agreement that seals the hostages’ release and Hamas’s defeat.