Given the suffering of the hostages, it's essential that the cease-fire continues and negotiations for the second phase commence immediately. Though Hamas' theatrics are morbid and cruel, Israel will only get its hostages back through diplomacy, which is understandably painful, but necessary.
Hamas cannot be allowed to get away with the brutality it inflicted upon Israeli civilians on Oct. 7. Israel's main goal is the return of the hostages, and it wants to achieve this goal diplomatically. However, it cannot accept Hamas' continued presence in Gaza, and it will resume the war if need be.
As Israel continues to violate the cease-fire in Gaza, expand its territory in Lebanon and Syria, and light the occupied West Bank on fire, the US remains Israel's biggest supporter. It is obvious that Netanyahu is doing everything he can to undermine the cease-fire so he can save his political career, yet the US would rather turn a blind eye to this fact and support Israel's extremist positions.