Relief and dread descended on Israelis with the latest release of three Israeli hostages by Hamas in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. The release of innocent hostages, held under inhumane conditions, comes at the heavy cost of freeing convicted terrorists, including murderers. This choice highlights the Jewish people’s unyielding commitment to the sanctity of human life, even at a heavy cost and great risk. This is not just a transaction, but a profound reflection of Israel’s moral clarity in the face of an enemy that weaponizes human suffering—prioritizing saving the lives of hostages over the need to destroy Hamas.
The Gaza ceasefire comes while terror attacks continue almost daily within Israel. A Moroccan national and U.S. permanent resident stabbed four Israelis in Tel Aviv before being shot dead. Three days earlier, a Palestinian stabbed an Israeli in Tel Aviv before being shot dead. In the West Bank, the Israeli Defense Forces launched “Operation Iron Wall” to crush terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian city of Jenin, a major hotbed of terror and hate.
‘I thought I’d die in Gaza’
The first three freed hostages revealed an unimaginable ordeal. For 471 days, these young women—Romi Gonen, 24; Emily Damari, 28; and Doron Steinbrecher, 31—faced physical deprivation, psychological torment and complete uncertainty about their fates. They returned malnourished, traumatized and in need of extensive care. Emily held up her hand, minus two fingers, which were shot off on Oct. 7, 2023, by a Hamas gunman. Smiling and defiant when reunited with their families, Romi declared: “Dad, I came back alive!”
We are beginning to hear their initial testimonies: “We were scared to death at the transfer point on Oct. 7, from the combination of the armed terrorists and the Gazan crowd. But we heard our families fighting for us even though I didn’t think I would come back. I thought I’d die in Gaza.” They did not know they were being released until a few hours before. Romi was kidnapped from the Nova music festival and the other two were abducted from their homes. They were moved around several times, including in tunnels, civilian homes and humanitarian zones. This validates reports from the IDF that Hamas endangered the civilian locations where the hostages were held.
For the past 15 months, families of the hostages have suffered their own form of torture. Sleepless nights, unanswered questions and relentless advocacy have defined their lives. They have been on a roller coaster of emotions as they celebrate the hostage deal while waiting to learn if and when their relatives will be released, and if they are even alive.
Hamas confirmed it will release four more female hostages on Saturday, Jan. 25, without naming them. Israeli special forces recently retrieved the body of soldier Oron Shaul; Hamas terrorists killed him in 2014 and abducted his body to Gaza. He was laid to rest the day after the three latest hostages returned home.
Hostages for terrorists: ‘Our moral, Jewish and Israeli obligation’
Israelis pay an unprecedented price in exchange for securing the release of its hostages. Each Israeli is being traded for dozens of Palestinian security prisoners, many sentenced for committing terror attacks against Israelis of all religions and ethnicities.
Israelis are embracing the Jewish principle of pikuach nefesh (“saving a life”). Israeli President Isaac Herzog: “I harbor no illusions—the deal will bring with it great challenges and painful, agonizing moments that we will need to overcome and face together. There is no greater moral, human, Jewish or Israeli obligation than to bring our sons and daughters back to us.”
While there have been protests and legal challenges against releasing the terrorists, according to most surveys, a majority of Israelis favor the deal. The exchange forces Israelis who lost their loved ones to balance their grief with the gain of returning hostages. Israeli news anchor Yair Shriki found out that the terrorist who killed his brother will be released: “It’s unbearable, but my brother is gone, and Romi Gonen is still alive.” Romi’s mother, celebrating the return of her daughter from captivity: “Family never gives up, and the people of Israel are family.”
Hamas psychological terror continued until the last second
The video of the hostages being transferred from Hamas to the Red Cross were jarring. The three young Israeli women were surrounded by dozens of armed fighters wearing masks and Hamas uniforms rather than their usual civilian clothing. Dozens of jubilant Palestinian civilians rallied behind the gunman while recording the hostages on their cell phones amid the chaos.
Hamas terrorists had the audacity to give each hostage a “goodie” bag with photos from their confinement, presented each of them with a certificate for their captivity—signed by a Red Cross representative—and forced them to wear necklaces with Palestinian flags. The Red Cross drove them away in vans with windows that allowed Gazans to continue to heckle them. Only once they entered Israel did IDF soldiers embrace them before they were reunited with their families.
The 90 Palestinian security prisoners released by Israel were met with boisterous celebrations and were greeted by supporters waving Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist flags. Hamas and its supporters around the world declared victory in Gaza after the ceasefire was announced, furthering its propaganda goals.
Three-phase deal: Will it proceed?
A senior Hamas “political” leader told Al Jazeera on Oct. 7 while the attacks were still ongoing: “We have enough hostages in our hands for Israel to release all our prisoners. The longer fighting continues, the higher the number of prisoners will become.” Israel’s acceptance of Hamas demands has been described as a deal with the devil—the same devil that is sacrificing the lives of its own citizens while proudly claiming they will repeat Oct. 7 again and again.
Hamas and Israel agreed and have started to implement the first stage of an outlined three-phase deal. The terror group will first release female, older and injured hostages in slow drips once a week for seven weeks. In this first phase, Hamas committed to releasing 33 of the 98 hostages (not all who are living) in return for about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. The first phase of the 42-day agreement includes a ceasefire. Israel maintains its right to protect its troops, will withdraw Israeli forces from certain areas within Gaza, and Palestinian civilians will return to their neighborhoods. The agreement includes an increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza, much of it already being confiscated by Hamas.
Only the first phase has been signed, the next two stages remain subject to negotiations. The goals for phase two include the release of the remaining living hostages for more terrorists. A full withdrawal of Israeli forces is contingent upon Hamas agreeing to remove itself from power. Many experts, even U.S. President Donald Trump, are “not confident” that the deal will hold because Hamas has refused to relinquish power to the Palestinian Authority or a consortium of Arab nations suggested as alternatives. Israeli leaders reportedly approved the deal in exchange for American guarantees that Hamas will not be allowed to rule Gaza again. The final phase focuses on returning the remains of deceased hostages, reconstruction efforts and peace initiatives.
Every hostage remaining in Gaza has his or her own story—from the oldest remaining hostage, Shlomo Mansur, 86, born in Iraq, to the youngest, Kfir Bibas, kidnapped at 9 months old. Many have relatives who were killed on Oct. 7; others have relatives who were released more than a year ago. Many are injured. Three have been held for more than a decade: Hisham Al-Sayed, Avera Mengistu and Hadar Goldin. Surasak Lamnau is one of nine remaining Thai nationals working on Israeli farms when they were kidnapped. Of the remaining hostages, 36 are confirmed to be dead.
A rapist killer, the ‘Bedtime Butcher’ and others to be freed
The “Bedtime Butcher” stormed into the kibbutz home of Revital Ohayon as the young mother read a bedtime story to her two sons, Noam and Matan, in 2002. The terrorist opened fire, instantly killing the mother and her four-year-old and five-year-old sons clutching their bed covers over their heads. The kibbutz was considered a model of co-existence between Jews and Arabs. That bedtime butcher, a Fatah terrorist, is slated to be released.
Arafat Irfaiya pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of 19-year-old Israeli Jew Ori Ansbacher in 2019. Ori, a volunteer at a Jerusalem youth center, was taking a walk in the Jerusalem Forest. The Hamas terrorist stabbed her multiple times because “I wanted to become a martyr and murder a Jew.” He was sentenced to life in prison, plus 20 years, until now. International women’s and human-rights groups have been deafeningly silent.
The terrorists with “blood on their hands” belong to multiple terror groups, including Iranian-backed Hamas, Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority. Other murderers slated for release:
- A Hamas terrorist who dispatched several suicide bombers who murdered 45 Israelis.
- A Fatah terrorist serving 13 life sentences for orchestrating suicide bombings.
- A Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist who sent a relative to bomb Haifa’s Maxim restaurant, co-owned by Jews and Christian Arabs, killing 21 Israelis.
- Hamas terror-cell leaders responsible for killing 35 Israelis in multiple bombings.
Hamas and SJP: More Oct. 7 attacks until Israel is destroyed
The Iran-backed terror group prioritizes propaganda over human life. Hostages are not merely prisoners, but tools of psychological warfare wielded to manipulate public opinion and sow fear. Immediately following the ceasefire announcement, a senior Hamas official proudly proclaimed that the Oct. 7 atrocities are a “source of pride that dealt the enemy a deadly blow and we will continue our jihad and our resistance.”
The anti-Israel university organization National Students for Justice in Palestine announced: “Let’s continue to support mutual aid efforts and organize to eradicate Zionism on our campuses. Our work has only just begun.” Protesters in New York City also called for more attacks.
Points to consider:
- The hostages and their families displayed extraordinary resilience
The hostages endured unimaginable physical and emotional abuse with strength and perseverance. Their long-overdue return is a testament to their survival against all odds. Their families were steadfast in their resilience, engaging in tireless advocacy, and maintaining hope amid unbearable uncertainty. This spirit embodies the heart of Israeli society—a commitment to protect every human life. Though reunions bring relief, they also demonstrate the immense suffering inflicted by Hamas. These stories remind the world of the human cost of terror and the unbreakable spirit of those who endure it.
- Jewish values guide Israel’s actions—painful but necessary decisions.
The principle of pikuach nefesh (“saving a life”) is central to Jewish ethics and the Israeli spirit. Israel’s willingness to release convicted terrorists reflects the prioritization of human life above all else and the country’s identity as a humane and democratic nation. This moral clarity stands in stark contrast to Hamas, which glorifies violence and death. Jewish values emphasize compassion, responsibility and the sanctity of each individual. These principles drive Israelis to make difficult decisions for the greater good. The release of hostages highlights the cost of Israel’s moral commitment while exposing the willingness of Palestinian terrorists to exploit human lives as bargaining chips.
- Hamas exploits psychological warfare and manipulates public opinion.
Hamas deliberately uses Israeli hostages as tools of psychological warfare, choreographing publicized exchanges to project strength and instill fear. These staged events manipulate public opinion and aim to demoralize Israelis. By exploiting innocent lives, Hamas showcases its priorities: propaganda and terror over humanity. Terrorists influence worldwide media narratives and distort the reality of their actions. Their media strategy shifts blame while glorifying brutality. Understanding this psychological warfare is essential to countering its effects and ensuring the world sees the truth behind the manipulation and exploitation of human lives.
- Supporting Hamas perpetuates terrorism, not peaceful coexistence.
Protesters in America and other democratic countries that stand with Hamas are aligned with terror and unimaginable evil. The Iranian-backed group prioritizes violence and hatred over the welfare of Palestinians and the pursuit of a peace agreement between Palestinians and Israelis. Defending Hamas entrenches Palestinian suffering, devastates communities and derails any hope for a peaceful Middle East. Every dollar, word or action in favor of Hamas—whether from an American university student, or European or Australian demonstrator—strengthens a regime that thrives on oppression and destruction. True support for Palestinians requires rejecting Hamas.