FILE PHOTO: A UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) vehicle is seen next to piled up debris at Beirut’s port, Lebanon October 23, 2020. Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo

Once again, Israeli citizens and the free world witnessed three human beings returning to the freedom granted to them by God, after being taken away by the forces of evil on October 7, 2023.

The released hostages were Sasha Troufanov, who learned upon his release that his father was murdered by Hamas terrorists; Sagui Dekel-Chen, who discovered the name of his daughter, born after his abduction; and Iair Horn, who asked the helicopter pilot returning to Israel to fly over the soccer stadium of his favorite soccer club.

However, the past week has been full of nerve-wracking tension for Israel and the families of the hostages. Hamas attempted to show its strength, threatening not to release any hostages, claiming that Israel had not met the terms of the agreement. Meanwhile, Hamas asserted that it had not received the promised equipment — despite the responsibility for this falling on Egypt.

Yet, in order to understand Hamas’ moves, one must familiarize themselves with the thinking patterns in the Middle East.

In the Western world, the complete evacuation of the Netzarim Corridor and the possibility of Gaza residents returning to northern Gaza were seen as a humanitarian step towards Gaza’s reconstruction after the war. However, the Palestinian narrative presents this in the opposite manner, portraying Hamas as having successfully “reconquered” northern Gaza and taken control again after Israel “failed” to maintain its hold over it. They also realize they succeeded in getting thousands of convicted terrorists returned, just to secure the release of the Israelis they illegally kidnapped on October 7.

Hamas thinks it has won.

The very same militants who proudly waved Palestinian flags but carefully hid their faces out of fear of being eliminated by the IDF know very well that just as the IDF evacuated the Netzarim Corridor, it can return to it whenever it receives the order to do so. And yet, despite all this, they see Israel as the defeated party.

Still, Hamas eventually chose to release the hostages.

Was this a result of the threats made by President Donald Trump? Was it because the promised equipment finally arrived? Or perhaps all of Hamas’ belligerent declarations throughout the week were merely empty boasts and propaganda?

Either way, the difference between the way we think and the way many Palestinians think is enormous. Hamas and many Palestinians think they have won the war — and in doing so, they still think they can destroy the Jewish State. Unfortunately, this will just lead to more violence, more war — and no peace.

As usual, the reality on the ground doesn’t matter.

Itamar Tzur is an Israeli scholar and Middle East expert who holds a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Jewish History and a Master’s degree with honors in Middle Eastern Studies. As a senior member of the “Forum Kedem for Middle Eastern Studies and Public Diplomacy,” Tzur leverages his academic expertise to enhance understanding of regional dynamics and historical contexts within the Middle East.