The Hostage Deal: Was It Irresponsible or a Calculated Decision?
Oct. 7, 2023, is a day forever engraved in our collective memory, the day when barbaric terrorists invaded Israel, murdering more than 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping 251 people whose only crime was living in a Jewish state. It has been over a year since the attack, during which 135 hostages have returned home alive, while 76 still remain in captivity.
In recent weeks, the world has been glued anxiously to news feeds, watching the release of some of the hostages after long, stressful months of negotiations. Seeing the hostages crossing the border from Gaza to Israel and reuniting with their families has offered us a glimmer of long-awaited hope. Still, a difficult question continues to arise: was making this deal the right decision? According to an article by the newspaper Israel Hayom, more than half of the releases from the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange returned to engage in terrorism or assist it, roughly the same rate as the terrorists who returned to terrorism in previous deals, gestures and releases.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as “a good deal” when negotiating with terrorists. Israel is not dealing with a nation, but rather with extremists who glorify death and destruction.
Israel has a long history of hostage exchanges. One of the most well-known deals was that of Gilad Shalit in 2011. Shalit was held captive by Hamas for five years. In exchange for his freedom, Israel released 1,027 Palestinian security prisoners, many of whom were serving life sentences for heinous crimes. One of these prisoners was Yahya Al-Sinwar, the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 attack.
Like Sinwar, the terrorists who are said to be released have spent the entirety of their imprisonment fantasizing about the day they will regain their freedom, to carry out their desire to continue terrorizing the Jewish people of Israel.
One of the terrorists being released is Ibrahim Hamed. Ibrahim Hamed was convicted for the murder of 46 Israelis and the injuries of more than 400. He was sentenced to 54 life sentences but is now set to be released. The mother of one of his victims stated:
“I am very angry about this whole deal, especially when I hear they are talking about releasing terrorists who murdered our children. It’s clear what will happen. I’m sure they haven’t learned their lesson, and they will continue to harm because they are creatures who feed on hatred. They won’t change their mindset. They won’t become peace lovers the moment they are released — they will continue to kill.”
The celebration of terrorists being released is broadcasted all over the internet and seen by many bereaved families who have lost their loved ones to these perpetrators. This is an unfathomable experience. Families grieving the loss of their loved ones may have felt a sense of justice, knowing they are locked away. But along with the hostage deal comes the aching reality that these villains will once again roam the streets.
Although the hostage deal raises valid concerns, it cannot be forgotten that Israel is doing everything in its power to save innocent people who are currently being held captive. The hostages are not prisoners of war, they are mainly civilians who were brutally, senselessly kidnapped. They have been held in captivity for over a year in inhumane conditions, facing unimaginable horrors.
One of Israel's fundamental principles in its basic laws is: Human Dignity and Liberty. This law states: “The basic human rights in Israel are based on the recognition of the value of the human being, the sanctity of his life, and his being a free person.” This law clearly outlines that one of the basic human rights is freedom. How can Israeli citizens be expected to disregard this basic law while their fellow citizens are held captive?
However, it is also important to note that Israel has been facing global criticism since Oct. 7, particularly after stopping all cooperation with UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) due to evidence that its members are members of Hamas and participated in the Oct. 7 attack. Many nations dismissed Israel’s concerns until the release of the hostage Emily Damari. Damari’s mother revealed that her daughter was held by Hamas at sites owned by UNRWA. This revelation led members of the European Parliament to call on the secretary-general of the UN to end all UNRWA operations, proving that the testimonies of the freed hostages have the power to change international perspective. If this case provides any insight for the future, the hostage deal may allow Israel to become more knowledgeable about the extent and nature of Hamas’ control over Gaza.
This hostage deal was not easily made. It took more than a year of intense negotiations for the formation of a second deal after many previous attempts collapsed. Israel has ensured that it could continue to have troops in Gaza in areas it deemed necessary, and this is a huge achievement considering Hamas was not going to accept these details originally.
Oct. 7 has and will always be a scar on every Jewish person's heart. As long as there are hostages in Gaza this wound will not and cannot begin to heal. Every hour, minute and second that the hostages are there they are in immediate danger.
Every emotion felt about this deal is valid. On one hand, the release of the hostages is a moral and humanitarian need. In the Jewish tradition, pidyon shvuyim [the redemptions of captives] is a huge mitzvah, and the hostages have undergone unimaginable suffering and need to be released immediately. On the other hand, convicted terrorists with blood on their hands are about to obtain undeserved freedom. History has shown that many released prisoners return to terrorism, once again endangering Israeli civilians. This deal compromises the military operation of Israeli soldiers who put their lives on the line with the goal of protecting the country's citizens.
Ultimately, this deal is neither a clear victory nor a complete failure, so having different opinions is inevitable. We must always try to be respectful of each other’s opinions, and keep in mind the emotional nature of how people relate to this hostage deal.
Photo caption: Family members of Israeli hostages held by Hamas at the Ohel of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
