Article in The Times of Israel by Andy Blumenthal: In my opinion, the only tactical way to rescue the hostages is to locate and map the tunnel they are hiding in and then gas them all to sleep. The gas would need to be carefully regulated so as not to alert the terrorists that it is being used and not to harm the hostages. The gas needs to be odorless and colorless (like nitrous oxide) to camouflage its use, and the Israeli commandos will need to be hairpin-ready to blow the blast doors and get in to rescue the hostages.

1. 1/27/24, 7:15 PM How To Get The Hostages Out Alive | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/how-to-get-the-hostages-out-alive/ 1/5
THE BLOGS
Andy Blumenthal
Leadership With Heart
How To Get The
Hostages Out Alive
ADVERTISEMENT

2. 1/27/24, 7:15 PM How To Get The Hostages Out Alive | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/how-to-get-the-hostages-out-alive/ 2/5
AI generated image vis Craiyon
Today is the 112th day that the Israeli hostages are being held by the depraved
Hamas terrorists in Gaza under the most deplorable conditions known to
mankind.
On October 7, we all “witnessed” the marauding Hamas terrorists viciously
murder 1,200 and rape, beat, and abduct over 240 Israelis and bring them to the
Gaza terror tunnels, where they have been keeping them in cages underground
with no daylight, little breathable air, almost no food, without medicine, and
subject to repeated torture and violent gang rape.
While 110 hostages were released as part of a deal with Hamas, there are
another 132 held in captivity, and one of the primary goals of Israel is to free the
hostages and bring them home. It is a national and religious imperative. These
are our brothers and sisters, and we must bring every single one back, period.
Strategically, we understand that Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas and
mastermind of the October 7 mass terror attack in southern Israel, is hiding in

3. 1/27/24, 7:15 PM How To Get The Hostages Out Alive | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/how-to-get-the-hostages-out-alive/ 3/5
the tunnels under Khan Yunis and that he has surrounded himself with the
remaining hostages and is ready to blow them all up should Israel undertake
any sort of rescue mission. The result would be a very bittersweet ending: killing
Sinwar but losing the innocent, beautiful men, women, and children that he is
holding as human shields.
In my opinion, the only tactical way to rescue the hostages is to locate and map
the tunnel they are hiding in and then gas everyone to sleep. The gas would
need to be carefully regulated so as not to alert the terrorists that it is being
used and not to harm the hostages. The gas needs to be odorless and colorless
(like nitrous oxide) to camouflage its use, and the Israeli commandos will need
to be hairpin-ready to blow the blast doors and get in to rescue the hostages.
This alternative is far better than releasing 100 Palestinian prisoners (many
“with blood on their hands”) for every 1 Israeli hostage like Hamas is
demanding (or 10,000+ Palestinian prisoners), thereby creating the terror
environment for yet another, and perhaps many, October 7-like attacks in the
future that would put many more Israelis at risk. Unfortunately, this is what
happened when Israel released Sinwar as part of the 1,000 for 1 deal in 2011 for
Gilad Shalit, and look where it got us.
The hostage rescue mission will not be easy. Truly, it will need to be another
miraculous and heroic IDF mission, such as Operation Thunderbolt (aka the
Raid on Entebbe), where Prime Minister Netanyahu’s brother Yoni, who was
leading that mission, was unfortunately lost, but almost all the hostages were
saved from over 2,700 miles away.
Like in this week’s Torah portion, Beshalach, when Amalek came and attacked
the Israelites as they fled Egyptian servitude, Moshe ascended the hill and
raised his hands in supplication to G-d Almighty. When the Israelites saw this,
they prevailed against Amalek. Similarly, now is the time for us to raise our eyes

4. 1/27/24, 7:15 PM How To Get The Hostages Out Alive | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/how-to-get-the-hostages-out-alive/ 4/5
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader who writes frequently about Jewish life,
culture, and security. All opinions are his own.
Heavenward and ask G-d for a miracle to help the IDF save the hostages and
defeat Hamas. As it says (Beshalach 17:16):
Now it is our generation’s turn to fight Amalek and save the hostages from their
evil clutches. G-d is with us if we are with G-d. May we be worthy of His
miraculous hand.
The L-rd’s war with Amalek is from generation to generation. ”
“
ADVERTISEMENT
AdChoices Sponsored
Discussions are moderated for civility. Read the guidelines here.
Conversation
Log in

5. 1/27/24, 7:15 PM How To Get The Hostages Out Alive | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/how-to-get-the-hostages-out-alive/ 5/5
Be the first to comment...
No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yet
Leave a comment so your voice will be heard first.
Powered by Terms | Privacy | Feedback