How Hamas’ price for hostages created ‘moral dilemma’
A central focus of Brett McGurk’s book, “Brink,” is the Oct. 7 hostage negotiations.
McGurk served under four presidential administrations, most recently as President Joe Biden’s national security staff coordinator for the Middle East. During that time, Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing over 1,000 people and taking hundreds hostage.
Reflecting on past hostage deals, McGurk noted that while hostage-takers set a price, the “moral onus shifts to the negotiator” over time to secure a release.
The challenge of securing the Oct. 7 hostages was bridging Hamas’ price of staying in power with Israel’s demand that Hamas never have power in Gaza, McGurk explained to Compass Points host Nick Schifrin.
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