If a terrorist is holding hostages near you and the terrorist says if you tell anyone about it they'll kill you, or the hostages, then you are also being held hostage, you can just move around more than the other hostages.
Sure fear can play a role, but there was more than compliance to Hamas. They told the press, some of who knew better, that they never seen Hamas or hostages. They took an active role.
If a terrorist is holding hostages near you and the terrorist says if you tell anyone about it they'll kill you, or the hostages, then you are also being held hostage, you can just move around more than the other hostages.
Sure fear can play a role, but there was more than compliance to Hamas. They told the press, some of who knew better, that they never seen Hamas or hostages. They took an active role.
Quite easy to criticize when you don't have a gun against your own or others head. Put yourself in someone's shoe before you criticize them.
They could have chosen not t9 say anything you know.
Proving my point, easy to criticize when its someone else
I really think the reason they did it is a minor issue. That they did it should be the point of focus.