A great tragedy initiated by Hamas is under way in the Gaza Strip.  Every innocent life is precious and there is a genuine concern about the women and children caught up in prosecuting the Gaza-based Hamas militants.   

The good news is, Hamas has choices.  If they committed to releasing the hostages, Israel would likely agree to pause the campaign. How else could safe passage for the returning hostages be assured?  

Once the pause was established, Hamas could agree to let the innocent civilians leave in return for an extended pause in the bombing.  

This would not be easy, as members of Hamas would try to escape with the civilians.  Egypt and Israel would be very careful about who was allowed out and detain suspected members of Hamas.  

This would also allow Egypt, Israel and the U.N. to provide humanitarian relief to the civilians.  This would need to include temporary housing and potential resettlement.  It would be an expensive and difficult ordeal but it’s preferable to more civilian deaths.  

Once the civilians were out, Israel would be free to pursue the Hamas leaders and membership without restraint.  Thus Hamas would have another choice: fight to the death, surrender or attempt to escape to another country.    

Hamas has tied the hands of the Israelis.  To prevent future terrorist-level attacks from Hamas, their leadership and members will be decimated.  The tragedy is the innocent Israeli citizens killed in the Hamas attack and the innocent Palestinians being killed now.  

But Hamas retains options. If it truly cares about protecting innocent civilians, it will choose a path to peace.