Another week in which the joy of hostages released was mitigated by the horror of terrorists released. The images of hundreds of thousands of Gazans mindlessly hurrying back to their “homes” in the north was a bit surrealistic, especially when they were halted in their path because of Hamas’ failure to release hostage Arbel Yahud. They will all remember her name.

I have to say I had a certain sense of glee seeing these Hamas supporters encountering for the first time what the IDF has done in northern Gaza. Many turned around and headed straight back to where they came from, complaining loudly that Hamas had tricked them, and that there was no water and no electricity…  and no house. In one especially amusing video, a Gazan stands in his bombed out apartment and says: “It’s okay as long as the walls are still standing,” reaching out to touch a wall which immediately crumbles. Ha!

 I’m not being mean. The images of Gazans – including women and children – surrounding the young women IDF observers as they were released showed that there are no innocents in Gaza and they haven’t learned anything. So yes, I think it’s delightful to watch them discovering what their “Flood” has accomplished for them. Morons. But I have to say they are being inventive in keep up a brave face. One Gazan asked someone to tell him if his house was still standing. “Yes, it’s standing,” he was told. “But it’s on its knees bowing to Allah.”

Gazans are still stubbornly claiming victory: Senior Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya: “What happened on October 7 is a military victory that will remain a source of pride for our people, our nation, and future generations.”

I agree with Abu Ali who says: “Allowing Hamas any achievements whatsoever – and securing the release of over one thousand jailed Palestinian terrorists is a major achievement – justifies the events of Oct. 7 and their devastating aftermath in the eyes of the Palestinians. The effect will be even worse if the West pushes for the rapid creation of a Palestinian state in response to this war.”

We have to keep fighting. We have to win a decisive victory. We have to hunt down and kill every, single terrorist murderer released under duress from our jails. And most of all we have to institute the death penalty so that this revolving door finally has a stopper.

While we might have a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, the IDF is now in a full scale war against terrorists in Judea and Samaria, adjacent to the population centers in the heart of Israel. “Operation Iron Wall” in Jenin represents a “shift in Israel’s security doctrine in Judea and Samaria,” said Defense Minister Israel Katz. According to Israel Today: “the goal is to eradicate the Iran-funded terrorist infrastructure that threatens Jewish life in the biblical heartland and beyond.” “Belt of Fire” attacks that are familiar from the wars in Gaza and Lebanon but have never yet been seen in Judea and Samaria, have destroyed 23 buildings in Jenin, whose population of terror supporters have been banished. It is absolutely necessary, and we are glad this is happening.

In Gaza and Lebanon, Israel is closely observing and reacting decisively to any ceasefire violations. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit on Sunday reported that “An IAF aircraft fired at a suspicious vehicle that was advancing northward from the central Gaza Strip along a route that is not the agreed inspection route, thus violating the framework of the agreement.” The vehicle was destroyed, and several stupid people got what they deserved.

In Lebanon, Israel is conscious of the very chummy relationship of the Lebanese Army with Hezbollah as the latter attempts to reestablish its presence in the villages along the border with Israel. But I was happy to see the special envoy Trump has appointed to discuss these violations with the Lebanese government was wearing a huge diamond Magen David around her neck (I have the same, exact one.). Morgan Ortagus who takes over from Amos Hochstein, is a Jewish convert and a very firm Israel supporter. She is very experienced and played an important role in the David Accords.

The new Chief of Staff taking over from Herzi Halevi is Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir, currently Director General of the Ministry of Defense. Across the board, the appointment has earned praise and support among all parties and factions.

A true professional, he is exactly what we need. Known to be in favor of Israel developing and producting its own weapons, he had this to say

Today: “We were all brought up on the phrase ‘The State of Israel will defend itself by itself.’ I now also tell you that the State of Israel will produce its own munitions, in the face of any threat and any scenario… Reducing dependence on the world is good for security, for the economy and for the industry. It will also prove itself in the export of security technologies… Our neighbors, from Iran to Gaza, from Yemen to Beirut and Damascus, are mistaken about us. The people of Israel and the IDF are strong. At the moment of truth, we see a fighting nation. We must salute the IDF, its fighters and commanders. They saved the State of Israel. The Ministry of Defense gave the IDF the tools, the support and the safety net to meet the challenge. In the war, the IDF rose from the depths – the enemies on all fronts were defeated and their leaders are buried under the rubble, but the campaign is not over and the challenges are still ahead of us. We must remember the heavy price we paid in casualties and wounded. 2025 will be another year of war. The Ministry of Defense must continue to build the force and support the needs of the IDF and the national security missions.”

Of all the hostages, the released young women observers tug at our heartstrings the most. They were, after all, IDF soldiers and were captured because of an IDF failure to listen to their warnings that war was about to break out. They say that they were abducted rather late on October 7 and were thus aware of the magnitude of the atrocities. From the bomb shelter where they barricaded themselves, they witnessed the death and murder of their friends. It has had a significant effect on them. They also said they used black humor to communicate, occasionally dropping in Arabic words as they all became proficient in the language.

They are now together at Beilinson Hospital surrounded by close friends and family. Recovery will hopefully be complete in the end. Such brave young women! Barely out of their teens! They are awesome.

Naama Levy was held hostage on her own for a long time until she was united with the other girls. Then she asked them if they were really alive. Four of the girls tried to pass the time with physical exercise despite the difficult condition they were held in and the lack of food.

American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegal, released on Saturday, thought his son had been murdered and then heard his voice on the radio All of the hostages were held in tunnels for months and starved, even as truckloads of food allowed Hamas to stuff themselves, if the beefy operatives guarding the girls are any indication.

One can only imagine the feelings of released hostage Yarden Bibas, husband of Shiri and those little red-heads we have all been following. Yarden did his best to protect his family as terrorists overran Kibbutz Nir Oz. But he was overwhelmed. He was kept in cages, beaten, starved and tormented constantly by his captors over the fate of his wife and children. I am sure his return without knowing what happened to them must be heartbreaking. Gazans are Nazis.

No, this war isn’t over. And many hostages remain. At present, there is no clear plan for when second phase negotiations will begin – or so says

Qatar’s foreign minister. Since Qatar is Hamas’ main supporter, their prominent role as “negotiator” is bizarre, don’t you think? What we are waiting for, is for the last hostage to be freed, and for the IDF to return and finish them off!

As seventy bloodthirsty released Hamas prisoners now housed in an Eygptian hotel are finding out, nobody actually wants them. Turning buildings into rubble isn’t enough unless all the Gazans responsible for these atrocities are underneath them.

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