There was a ceasefire in place on Oct 7. If Hamas hadn’t committed massacre and outrages, there would be no war. To demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire (no mention of any return of hostages) fits beautifully with what Hamas wants and therefore encourages them. Such a move would be seen as a huge triumph for Hamas, strengthening them enormously. Their future grip on Gaza would be assured. They are already more popular than the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, so would become unstoppable there also.
