"NYT Columnist Suggests Granting Safe Passage for Hamas Leaders to Resolve Gaza Conflict"

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman proposed ending the war in Gaza by offering a "free pass" for the Hamas leadership to leave the country peacefully. He suggested that Israel could grant amnesty to the terrorist leaders, allowing them to turn in their weapons and release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages. Friedman argued that this approach could pave the way for new Palestinian leadership, Arab partnerships, and reconstruction efforts. He emphasized the urgency of finding a conclusion to the conflict and expressed doubt that the United States and President Biden could politically tolerate a prolonged war.