It’s hard to convey the extremity of emotion about the hostage deal here in Israel. We were all glued to our screens, watching the intense scenes as Romi, Emily, and Doron were returned to Israel last weekend, then Karina, Liri, Daniella, and Naama just yesterday. Ahead of them lies the long road to rehabilitation.
They were airlifted to the Sheba Medical Center in central Israel where they will be cared for and monitored for the first few days. Dr. Hagar Mizrahi from Israel’s health ministry said the four newly-released hostages are in an “emotionally and medically complex” situation1. Their families were waiting for them and we were all sitting on the edge of our seats with bated breath, eager to see the first glimpse of the girls finally free. The relief! The joy! The whole nation erupted in elation as we saw them finally embracing their families.
We are overjoyed to see these women returned home to safety, yet our emotions are as mixed as they are intense. There is elation but also anger.
Hamas has set up a cruel and torturous journey for Israel as we wait with bated breath for the other hostages. Even with those on the list for release there are many unknowns: Who will be released when? Will they be dead or alive? The names of the first three were withheld till the very last minute, almost scuppering the whole deal, and Hamas refused to release the civilian women first as the deal required. The terror group is aiming to exert maximum psychological torture even at this point.
Add to that among the prisoners set to be released are mass murderers who have killed many Israelis. They are rapists, murderers, terrorists. It’s welded into the Israeli consciousness that Yahya Sinwar was free to orchestrate October 7 because he had been set free in exchange for Gilad Shalit. Who knows what these terrorists may do now.
Yet how can a deal be turned down, no matter how bad? We have to get the hostages home.
”Her bandaged hand showing the victory sign, missing two fingers that had been shot off by Hamas, has become something of an icon. It signifies Israeli courage and resilience, like a visual symbol of the phrase, “Am Israel Chai!”
The love of life in Israeli culture was so apparent when freed hostage Romi called her dad to tell him with joy, “Dad, I came back alive!”
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As delighted as we all are to have them home again, the charade put on by Hamas as the last four hostages were freed on Saturday was particularly grueling to see. A social media post from Ella Kenan2 made the powerful point:
“Forcing women who were cruelly held captive for 15 months to go on stage, smile, and cheer as if they hadn’t been through hell is just a cynical as putting a sign reading, “Work Sets You Free” at the entrance to Auschwitz.”
Main image: Government Press Office
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/newly-freed-hostages-in-an-emotionally-and-medically-complex-situation-health-ministry-official-says-at-hospital/
- https://x.com/EllaTravelsLove/status/1883081827965108360
