Hostage-Remains Scandal & U.S. Backing: The Gaza Calculus

IDF strikes in Gaza, Hamas ceasefire violations, hostage-remains scandal, and U.S.–Israel strategy—what’s next? On this week’s Israel undiplomatic, senior contributing editor at JNS Ruthie Blum and former Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom Mark Regev—both former advisers in the Prime Minister’s Office— unpack Israel’s retaliatory strikes after renewed Hamas attacks, staged “searches” before the Red Cross and the new calculus now that no live Israeli hostages remain in Gaza. They weigh whether the ceasefire is sliding into a war of attrition or setting the stage for Phase Two of the Trump plan—Hamas disarmament and an end to its rule—while assessing U.S. backing from President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Washington’s leverage over Qatar and Turkey, and the balance between deterrence, limited incursions and diplomatic pressure to force the return of remains and prevent Hamas rearmament.