Signs of life emerged over the weekend from Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, two among 20 living Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza. The impact hits like a punch to the gut, bringing endless tears. Their eyes convey utter helplessness, their bodies appear emaciated, their voices cry out for help.
Nearly two years have passed with them deteriorating in Hamas tunnels. Nearly two years have passed with an entire nation trapped in trauma. Nearly two years have passed without anyone in the government conducting discussions about "the day after," resembling someone fleeing from devastating news, while increasing numbers of families receive the most devastating news possible.
The moment has arrived for a courageous decision that will bring back all hostages in a single operation, terminate the war and end bloodshed on both sides. Hamas deserves no reward for the horrific October 7 assault, but what remained unaccomplished during two years of warfare will not be remedied through additional months of stagnation and casualties. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly declares Israel represents the region's strongest power, so what exactly does he fear?
His fear does not stem from possibilities that Israel might be compelled to return and fight again. The military possesses that capability. Netanyahu fears his government's collapse. Threats from his ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich that stopping the war would dissolve the Knesset Coalition frighten Netanyahu more than global escalation against us. This includes possibilities that during his visit to the UN General Assembly's annual conference, a resolution might pass recognizing a Palestinian state. The individual who spent years preventing Palestinian state establishment has prepared the foundation for that silver platter and will now impose it upon us under disadvantageous and uncontrolled circumstances.
Decades of bloodshed
Opponents of reaching a Gaza agreement argue it will produce future murderous attacks on our communities. According to their claims, October 7 resulted from the 2005 Gaza Disengagement. That 2005 unilateral withdrawal elevated Hamas to power and strengthened it through dollars flowing to it with Israeli consent and encouragement.
This week marks 20 years since the disengagement. Numerous assessments mostly suffered from excessive nostalgia. Perhaps through forgetfulness, they avoided tallying Gush Katif settlement casualties, which began in 1973 and concluded in 2005. Sixteen Jewish communities, 8,600 settlers plus 600 additional Bedouins. Some 5,904 mortar shells and Qassam rockets were launched, primarily from Khan Younis, targeting Gush Katif. The Kisufim corridor, serving as the sole entry and exit route for the Gush, transformed into a blood-soaked highway, particularly following the First Intifada and intensifying during the second one. 282 Israeli civilians were murdered there while dozens of soldiers perished. Among images permanently seared into collective memory, soldiers appear crawling along the Philadelphi Corridor, searching for human remains of comrades killed in an armored personnel carrier by roadside explosives.
On July 23, 2005, following Sabbath spent with family members in Ganei Tal, my friends Rachel and Dov'le Kol departed the Gush. Due to shooting in the corridor vicinity, access was blocked. When the attackers remained unfound, they reopened the corridor. Ten vehicles at a time. Dov'le and Rachel, Jerusalem residents parenting three children, stood no chance when gunfire opened toward them. They died instantly. The Gush's final victims. Two weeks later, Disengagement commenced.
Today, Tisha B'Av 5785, this must be stated – enough casualties. Bring Rom, Evyatar and their companions home. The time has arrived.
