Giving in to Hamas’ blackmail would only lead to more violence, Israel argues, but ramps up diplomatic efforts to free the two hundred hostages trapped in Gaza and largely forgotten by the West.
In what appears to be another example of hostage diplomacy, Tehran is demanding Sweden’s release of a jailed Iranian official behind the massacre of political dissidents in the 1980s.
An Iranian court ruled that Vandecasteele had engaged in spying for the U.S. government, currency smuggling, and money laundering; charges which he and his government deny.
