War between Hamas and Israel: “As early as October 8, I said that the hostages changed everything,” recalls historian Vincent Lemire

Friday November 24, the truce between Hamas and Israel must come into force. The first hostages should be released in the afternoon. Is this a new phase of the conflict? “Yes! As early as October 8, I said that the hostages changed everything. It obviously changes the feelings of Israeli civil society. (…) It is the only thing that allows us to truly challenge the Israeli government “, explains Vincent Lemire, historian specializing in the Middle East, in 19/20 info Thursday. According to him, this allows “politicize this protest”saying : “Is it the safety of citizens that takes precedence or is it the political agenda?”

“We need a humanitarian truce”

The author of the comic History of Jerusalem ensures that for “release hostages, we need a humanitarian truce”. “It is not possible otherwise. It is necessary that the bombings stop. Drone surveillance must stop to be able to secure [le transfert des otages]. The Red Cross needs to establish contacts. Contacts must be more fluid between the political branch and the military branch.”explains this specialist.

Vincent Lemire believes that this agreement will be “extremely gloomy” for the families of the hostages who will not be released. “It’s absolutely terrible, but these are the tricks of History. These are the tricks of this situation. Hostages are the only thing that can truly slow down this march towards the worst.”