Over the last days, the excitement in Israel increased from hour to hour. Finally, an agreement between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas, which promises the return of all hostages – whether alive or dead. Today the day has come. Hamas released all hostages whose life they spared and brought them to Israel with the help of the International Red Cross. However, only 4 of the 28 hostages killed by Hamas are being delivered today, contrary to the agreement. During the negotiations, Hamas spoke of 15 bodies that they could initially hand over to Israel. The remaining bodies would have to be searched for and excavated.
A People Celebrates the Return of its Sons
The joy in Israel is great on the eve of Simhat Torah, the second holiday of the Feast of Tabernacles. Not only among the families and friends of the surviving hostages who can embrace their loved ones today. This noon in the vegetable shop I was invited for a glass of beer to celebrate. According to the Jewish calendar, today marks exactly two years since the horrific Simhat Torah holiday on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its attack on Israel.
It would probably be too much to ask of the Palestinian Hamas that they keep their part of the bargain. Yesterday, Israel released over 1700 imprisoned Palestinians, including hundreds of murderers and terrorists, and transferred them to the West Bank and Gaza. However, Hamas is only returning 4 of the 28 bodies. 24 families are still waiting to be able to bury their loved ones in Israel. The cynicism knows no bounds.
One of the released survivors, Evyatar David, was filmed by Hamas just two months ago having to dig his own grave. Hamas propaganda is successful worldwide. No one questions the death tolls from the Ministry of Health in Gaza, or the genocide verdict against Israel. 80 years after the victory over the Nazis, the blood libel against Jews is not only socially permissible but has become fashionable.
Yet all this is forgotten today. Israeli television hosts and journalists repeatedly break into tears, as do the millions of viewers who, like me, cannot hold back their emotions. The Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv, where I myself have been so often, is full of people today who stand in solidarity with the families of the kidnapped. They remain even now, demanding the repatriation of the dead hostages from Hamas.
But it is not only the hostages who are returning. With an end to the war, the majority of reservists are also expected to return home, having often had to spend hundreds of days in the war zone facing mortal danger. 915 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives there in the war.
Open Questions
Despite the joy, people here are also asking questions. Gershon Baskin stated in an interview that he already held an agreement signed by Hamas in September 2024 that would have allowed the return of all hostages who were still alive at that time. However, the negotiated agreement was finally rejected by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During his visit to Israel today, US President Donald Trump repeatedly tried to persuade Prime Minister Netanyahu to travel with him to the peace conference in Egypt. Trump continued alone; Bibi Netanyahu backed out. Netanyahu seems to fear that his trip to Egypt could be interpreted as recognition of a Palestinian state. In the past, it was the Palestinian leaders who backed out. In 1947-1948, 2000, and 2008, they could have proclaimed a Palestinian state, but they rejected. The only good explanation for this: the Palestinians seek a state not alongside, but instead of Israel.
Of course, the Israelis have good arguments against the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Second Intifada showed that many Palestinians prefer bloody terror to a peaceful solution. Israel’s complete disengagement from the Gaza Strip was rewarded by Hamas with countless rocket attacks on Israel’s civilian population and finally with October 7, 2023. Hamas generally rejects a two-state solution and calls for the destruction of Israel. Unfortunately, Hamas has been the favorite of the Palestinians in the West Bank for years and essentially reflects the will of the Palestinian majority. Even in the Gaza Strip, despite the terror inflicted by them, Hamas probably still enjoys a majority today.
Trump’s plan has led to a ceasefire and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from about half of the Gaza Strip. But there remain many points that need to be negotiated or implemented. The goal is a long-term solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Part of it is the disarmament of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Media reports tonight talk about Hamas infiltrating the areas released by Israel and shooting opponents and suspected collaborators.
The temporary administration of the Gaza Strip by international forces is a dubious undertaking if Turkey and Qatar take on important roles there. Both are state sponsors of the terrorist organization Hamas. The heads of state of both countries are affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, known in Palestine under the name “Hamas”. Once international forces are stationed in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s freedom of action is considerably restricted. Above all, the question arises of how the De-Hamasification (similar to Denazification) is to be accomplished. Again through UNRWA, which failed so miserably? Who provides new school books and replaces the teachers? Who changes the curricula of hatred with curricula based on humanistic values and messages of peace and understanding?
Despite the entirely justified concerns of Netanyahu traveling to the peace conference in Egypt, his absence leaves a bad taste. In a podium discussion with former American President Bill Clinton, he accused the late Palestinian President Arafat of having squandered the chance for an independent Palestinian state during the Camp David negotiations in the summer of 2000. Arafat had flatly rejected the Israeli proposal at the time and was neither capable nor willing to present a counter-proposal. Did Netanyahu squander a unique opportunity for lasting peace today? Only the future will tell.
Note by the author: The above text was translated from German into English with the help of AI (NotebookLM), then edited manually to fix inaccuracies and style.