And the shock that followed.
There is little that could better describe the horror of the situation than this picture of the three hostages released on Saturday. From left, Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami. Top row shows their appearance as Hamas put them on display before releasing them. Bottom row is how they appeared before being taken into captivity on October 7.
Doctors described their condition as similar to that of Holocaust survivors when leaving the camps. These men were physically and mentally tortured, deprived of sufficient food, and kept in darkness in tunnels.
Dr. Einat Yehene, Head of Rehabilitation in the Health Division of the Hostage Families Forum, said today that there was food from humanitarian aid in the locations where the hostages were held; the starvation was deliberate.
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Yesterday, the three walked away from their captivity slowly, but on their feet. These are men of indomitable spirit.
Once again Hamas put them through a repulsive display – this time in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza – before they were turned over to the Red Cross, which in turn brought them to the IDF.
Please see the full blood-chilling Hamas propaganda video. Share it and this entire post broadly:
This display was intended as a demonstration of power: a victory display, which includes scenes of terrifying crowds of Hamas members and supporters.
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Many of the Israelis who still have family members held hostage by Hamas, along with supporters, on seeing the frail condition of those who had been released, and understanding how they had been treated, cried out for a plan that would bring all remaining hostages home without further delay – all at once. A demonstration was held on Saturday night.
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I cannot, will not fault these relatives of hostages, who are suffering greatly and long to see their loved ones home. How could they feel otherwise? But it is important to recognize that there is another lesson to be taken from the display by Hamas on Saturday: Hardly vanquished, they are publicly demonstrating a sense of strength. See how they push the hostages around; see how the Red Cross cooperates with them; see how the mobs cheer.
Along with their sense of strength, their bravado, they are also exposing their inhumanity.
This reinforces the stark realization that we cannot leave them standing as part of a permanent ceasefire aimed at bringing out the remaining hostages. If they are left standing, they will attack again and the suffering that would – Heaven forbid!! – be endured by innocent Israelis would far exceed the horrendous suffering currently endured by those approximately 40 hostages thought to still be alive (of the 76 still being held).
This is an ugly and painful calculus. But it is the reality. We are dealing with an existential issue.
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Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks about getting the hostages out and taking down Hamas – that is, accomplishing both goals. I do not know how this will be possible, and I cannot speak for him. What I will say is that I think it is outrageous to claim that he calculates what to do simply based on his desire to provide protection for his administration.
See his statement in a video here – in Hebrew with translation in the accompanying text:
“We will do everything to bring back all the hostages, but Hamas will not be there. We will eliminate Hamas and bring our hostages home.”
https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-says-committed-to-returning-all-hostages-ending-hamas/
The weight on his shoulders is enormous.
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Netanyahu should be home soon, as I write. His arrival back from the US was delayed because of icy weather; he departed this morning, US time, and not last night, as planned. In the US he had met not only with Trump but also Congressional leaders.
He said, before he want to Washington, that he would make no decisions regarding the next stage of the ceasefire deal until after he had spoken to Trump. Clearly, the details of what passed between the two on this subject have not been made public. But last night, Netanyahu made a statement indicating the president agreed that Hamas cannot be permitted to remain standing.
I hope this holds, because it can be more difficult to say no to a president who is being supportive for the most part (especially a “transactional” president), than to a president who is frequently difficult. Trump has been fantastic in several respects, which I will explore going forward. My major concern is Trump’s mid-east envoy Steve Witkoff, and the influence he may have on Trump. It is in this regard that Bibi might have to draw on his strength in saying no.
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A “token” delegation – minus Ron Dermer – has gone to Doha to discuss technicalities of a hostage release; this group is not empowered to negotiate the second stage, but apparently technically honoring the obligation to continue talking.
What happens next is that Netanyahu must meet with the Security Cabinet to discuss the position going forward. The scuttlebutt in several quarters (but not official) is that Netanyahu is reluctant to continue to the second stage.
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The human stories told in connection with the released hostages are very moving and often very painful.
Eli Sharabi and his brother Yossi both lived in Kibbutz Be’eri and were both abducted on October 7. Yossi died in captivity and his body is still held by Hamas.
What Eli didn’t know was that his wife, Lian, and two daughters, Yahel, 13, and Noya, 16, had been killed in the Hamas massacre. He came to the hospital, wrapped in an Israeli flag, expecting to see all his family.
Scroll down here to see a moving video of his reunion with his brother Sharon and other family members. Sharon, wearing a tallit, was so overcome, he recited the Shema.
When Eli asked about his wife and kids, Sharon and their sisters broke the news to him. Eli screamed and repeatedly said, “My heart is not at peace.” He had no idea and now has to assimilate the most difficult information. His family will be with him continuously, providing support. He says he wants to recover and live.
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Or Levy was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival on October 7. He didn’t realize that his wife, Einav, who was with him, was murdered. Left behind was a small son, Almog, now three, who has been in the care of his grandparents; they told him his father had to go away but was trying to come back to him as quickly as possible.
On Saturday, when he was reunited with family members, they confirmed for him what he suspected – that his wife was dead.
Here he is, embracing his son with whom he has just been reunited. I read that they boy told him, “Abba, you took a long time to come back.”
In a message from Levy’s family they say they believe Einav is looking down now, finding solace in seeing Almog finally embraced by his father.
The families ask for privacy and the space for recovery.
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I ask for prayers for Israel’s wellbeing – for the wisdom and strength of our leaders and the safety of all Am Yisrael.
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©Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
