(Wall Street Journal) Editorial - The hostage deal that Israel and Hamas reached Tuesday will spare the lives of 50 Israelis. The cost is a short-term ceasefire that Hamas will exploit, and 3/4 of the hostages will remain in terrorist hands. Israeli leaders believe the trade is worth it, and it's not our place to second-guess their judgment. The deal again shows the moral gulf between the two sides. Hamas kidnapped Israeli children as young as nine months to use as hostages and spring its jihadists who have been arrested or convicted in a fair trial for their crimes. Israel takes military risks to save its citizens. Hamas risks Palestinian civilians to save itself. Even as Israelis rejoice for those who will return home, they know Hamas is rejoicing too. Its war crimes have been rewarded. Expect Hamas to drag out the ceasefire in hopes of making it permanent. Pressure to continue the ceasefire indefinitely will grow, and Israel can expect harsher criticism when it resumes fighting. Israelis know all this, but they are willing to accept the costs to retrieve the captives. They are also unwavering in their determination to overthrow Hamas.
2023-11-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive