> Do you really believe that this have anything to do with the hostages?
To a significant degree, yes. If Hamas turned over the hostages today, Israel's position would significantly weaken. Palestinians' would strength. But so would Hamas', which is why they haven't.
Man, in a scenario where all the hostages are freed, I can't image Netanyahu stopping the genocide... so far he's been "Well, what are you going to do about it?!" about all the war crimes and killings, I would bet my left nut he'd continue the bombings even if all the hostages are returned. It's too easy to say the terrorist want to annihilate Israel (and so, Israel being a rules-abiding civilized democracy, must annihilate the Palestinian state first - terrorists, civilians, all the same...).
> in a scenario where all the hostages are freed, I can't image Netanyahu stopping the genocide
Okay. Are you certain enough about your imagination that it's not worth attempting? Two, it may not end the war. But it reduces Israel's leverage. If you think any of the international pressure and opinions have any effect, then returning the hostages is a winning move.
Israel has rejected every peace offer from Hamas, including ones brokered by the US. They invited Hamas peace negotiators to Qatar and then bombed them. They have shown no indication that they are willing to agree to a peace deal in exchange for the hostages, it’s just a rationalization they use so that people like you can counter every anti-Israel argument with “well what about the hostages?”
> Israel has rejected every peace offer from Hamas, including ones brokered by the US
Which offer did Israel reject that was put forward by Hamas and endorsed by the U.S.?
> They have shown no indication that they are willing to agree to a peace deal in exchange for the hostages
Maybe you're right. The Palestinians' hand is significantly strengthened if this is shown to be true. If Hamas unilaterally turned over the hostages and sued for peace, I really don't think Israel could continue the war. If they did, they'd lose a massive amount of of international indifference.
To a significant degree, yes. If Hamas turned over the hostages today, Israel's position would significantly weaken. Palestinians' would strength. But so would Hamas', which is why they haven't.