#Haley argues return of hostages shows Hamas trying to ‘earn favor’ with US

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said she thinks Hamas releasing two hostages Friday means the group is trying to “earn favor” with the United States and warned the Biden administration to “be smart” and not weaken its response.

“First I’ll say, two prayers have been answered and we’ve got 200 more to go,” Haley said on Fox News. “The second thing I’ll say to the Biden administration is don’t fall for it.”

President Biden said Friday that the U.S. has secured the release of two Americans taken hostage by Hamas during its attack against Israel on Oct. 7. Biden said Qatar and Israel secured the release of the Americans, named by the Israeli government as Judith Raanan and her 18-year-old daughter Natalie Raanan.

“This is what they do,” said Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. “They’re trying to earn favor with the United States.”

She added that Hamas is likely fearful of a ground attack from Israel, and Iran is worried that Hamas could lose the war.

“And so what they’re doing is they’re going to throw two hostages out there for one, to see if they can weaken us to keep Israel from going into Gaza and two, because they want to see if they can get something out of it,” Haley said.

Haley warned Biden that this is a crucial time: “This is a time to be smart.”

“Don’t let this weaken us,” she said. “We’ve got 200 more hostages in there and don’t forget what happened on Oct. 7.”

Approximately 1,400 Israelis have been killed in the first two weeks of the conflict in the Middle East, officials said, which began when Hamas attacked Israel earlier this month. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said responding strikes have killed nearly 3,800 Palestinians.