This Hostage Release Could Shake Israel

Up until now the hostage releases have been characterized by national euphoria in Israel over the joyful reunions of nine young women and an 80-year-old man with their families.

 

Five Thai citizens who spent more than 480 days in Gaza in captivity were also released this week.

 

However, 82 hostages remain and not all of them are believed to be alive. 

The euphoria, I fear, is about to end.

Tomorrow, Yarden Bibas is among three living men expected to be released—but not his wife Shiri and two young children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, the youngest hostage taken at 9 months old.

 

Of course, everyone expected Shiri and the children—who were abducted in some terrifying scenes—to be released in the first few rounds in November 2023. They were not, and their fate is the subject of much speculation at this point. 
 

Top: Shiri’s abduction was filmed by terrorists. 
Bottom: Yarden Bibas in a psychological warfare video released by Hamas in November 2023

Also, as we see more people released who were taken from their homes on kibbutzes in the Gaza Envelope (as opposed to those taken from army bases and the music festival), many are returning to the horrors of Oct. 7.  

 

The brother of Arbel Yehud was murdered on Oct. 7 while her boyfriend and his brother (whose wife and two daughters were also abducted but released in November 2023) remain in Gaza. 

 

The wife of Gadi Mozes, 80, was also murdered on Oct. 7. More stories like this await.

 

Israel is about to enter challenging times and will face some difficult news in the coming days.

 

Speaking of going home, Gazans are facing apocalyptic scenes as they leave displacement tents only to find they are still homeless. Entire neighborhoods have been bombed and are uninhabitable. Humanitarian needs in the strip are “immense,” the United Nations said.

 

One million—that’s half the population—were displaced. Tens of thousands were killed (Gaza’s Health Ministry has the number at 50,000) and thousands are still in need of urgent medical care. Patients will soon be allowed to cross into Egypt as part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel. 

 

Above: Thousands of Gazans crossing the Netzarim corridor to head north.
Below: Many heading home waited for days for the crossing to open… only to find they had no home to which to return.

 

Each release by Hamas has been different, ranging from bizarrely staged spectacles with the young female soldiers to the dangerous and chaotic mob scene surrounding Arbel and Gadi’s release. You can see these in some of my previous videos.

 

Also, among the 79 hostages remaining are more citizens from Thailand, Nepal and Tanzania.