Hamas supporters begged for ceasefire — but only on their terms

It’s now officially been two years since Hamas’ monstrous Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which left 1,200 innocent people dead and 251 taken hostage.

The pain of that day was beyond horrendous, as we noted Sunday, and the wounds won’t quickly heal.

Yet negotiators are now in Egypt aiming to work out a peace plan to end the war once and for all.

Hard as it may be, keep your hopes up.

President Donald Trump’s plan, which includes the immediate release of the hostages, would halt all hostilities in the areas where Hamas lays down its arms. This would enable humanitarian aid to flow quickly into the Gaza Strip.

Any normal leaders, recognizing they can’t win, would accept these terms.

But Hamas is a death cult that views its own civilians’ casualties as a form of victory. How do you negotiate with a group like that?

So there’s just no telling what Hamas’ leaders may decide to do.

Meanwhile, worldwide demonstrations against Israel — which seem to be less calls for peace than celebrations of the massacre — will only embolden Hamas and make it harder to reach a deal.

Recall that the repulsive Within Our Lifetime, which plans a rally in Midtown on Tuesday, was in the forefront of demanding a “cease-fire” practically before Hamas had finished its killing spree.

With a potential cease-fire within reach in Cairo now, you’d imagine it would be begging Hamas to stand down.

Wrong. “Honor Our Martyrs. Break the Siege,” Within Our Lifetime demands. “End the Genocide. Resist for Palestine.”

In other words, Keep it up, Hamas! You’re doing splendidly.

Western groups demanding “Free Palestine” are squarely opposed to any peace deal that doesn’t involve the dissolution of Israel.

But that’s not going to happen. Any deal will have to ensure Israel’s security, at a minimum.

Hamas must fully disarm and fully relinquish governing power. It can’t have any role in any future body that administers Gaza or any say in who gets such a role.

If a peace deal leaves Israel with future threats from Gaza, the entire war will have been in vain.

Yet by providing moral support for Hamas, encouraging it to keep fighting, activists are telling the terror group not to give in, even if it means the war continues.

After two long years every well-meaning person should hope this war ends now, that Hamas concedes defeat and the hostages are freed.

Alas, when dealing with terrorists — backed by demented supporters in the West — don’t bet the farm on that.