Cautious optimism
I'm writing this Sunday night. Tomorrow, please Gd, the last twenty remaining living hostages will be released. By the time this blog gets sent out by email, it's possible that two years of living hell will be over for these people.
Hope
Will Hamas keep their word? Unclear because their word doesn't mean much. Is it worth Israel releasing close to 2000 terrorists, 250 of whom are serving life sentences? What percentage of those released will commit acts of terror again? On Friday morning, the protocol was put into action to to notify people when the killers of their family members are about to be released....
Sadness
As one example: the killer of Dafna Meir, a nurse and mother of six who was stabbed her to death in her home as some of her children watched, will be released. At the time of his sentencing, it was recommended that he "never be set free" due to carrying out the murder “with abnormal cruelty and in cold blood.” As the article says, "When asked by the investigator what he would do if allowed to go free, Adais said: “I would go Al-Aqsa mosque, even if I was killed, and on the way I would kill as many Zionist Jews as I could.” Sigh. He will soon be free.
Fear
As former Maldonian Josh Vogel wrote: "The deal seems fair at face value despite the high price in released prisoners....[it] moves the needle in the right direction" (catch his Substack here)
So many emotions....
People are getting ready to welcome the hostages back. Hostage Square in Tel Aviv is open non-stop until everyone is back, with thousands watching, waiting.....The hospital rooms are ready, with an extra bed for a family member to sleep in, and tables for extended families to eat together in the hospital rooms (the spokesperson giving the video tour said something like, "this is Israel--the whole family is going to be here"). The Prime Minister's office made gift bags including clothing, toiletries, and a cellphone, tablet and laptop. President Herzog left a handwritten note on every hostage's hospital bed, writing: "How great it is that you are home" (it sounds better in Hebrew).jpg)
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