The bittersweet ceasefire

“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord,

“who carry out a plan, but not mine,

and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit,

Isaiah 30:1

On the 467th day of war between Israel, Hamas, and all of the Iranian funded terror proxies;

A hostage and ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has been reached, and along with it, a blend of gut wrenching emotions.

There is a sweet, sweet sense of relief that the Hostages, our fellow Israeli brothers and sisters, those held captive in hellish conditions that haunt my every nightmare, might soon return to the embrace of their families.  But this relief is marred by a deep, gnawing sense of skepticism and maybe even a hint of betrayal. 

I can still see the faces of those we've lost on October 7th, friends, colleagues and fellow Israelis. I still feel the weight of each fallen soldier made over these 467 cursed days of war. Every soldier, every civilian, their blood cries out from the ground we've fought so hard to secure. And yet, here we stand, on the brink of a ceasefire deal that offers a much needed sense of relief, but what feels to me and many Israelis like the beginning of another eve of October 7th.

Israel has given up too much just to agree to a ceasefire deal that has largely been available since May 2024. 

Accepting it now feels like defeat.

Here are the terms of the current three-phase ceasefire deal, based on what's been released to the public:

1. Phase 1:A 42-60 day ceasefire: Hamas frees 33 Israeli hostages (women, children, elderly, wounded) in stages. Israel releases hundreds of Palestinian prisoners with life sentences, but not Nukhba terrorists (those who participated in the October 7th massacre). Gaza gets up to 600 aid trucks daily, including 50 fuel trucks. Israeli forces partially withdraw, maintaining security in specific areas, allowing northern Gaza residents to return.

2. Phase 2:This 42-day period will focus on achieving a "sustainable calm" or a transition to a more permanent ceasefire. Hamas releases remaining living hostages, including male soldiers and younger civilian males, in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners. Discussions on further withdrawals of Israeli troops, with the goal of a complete withdrawal from Gaza linked to the release of all hostages. Continued aid and the start of discussions on rebuilding Gaza's infrastructure.

3. Phase 3:42 days or longer, depending on negotiations. The release of the bodies of deceased hostages and further prisoner exchanges. Complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, contingent on all hostages being released. Long-term plan for reconstruction of Gaza, including homes, civilian facilities, and infrastructure, under international supervision (Qatar, Egypt, UN). Discussions or agreements regarding the governance of Gaza post-conflict.

Hamas, still in control, rebuilding, regrouping, reorganizing, their shadow cast long across the border Israel attempts to secure.  And we're expected to believe that this nightmare won't replay? That they won’t commit another massacre like they’ve promised to do? That the convicted terrorists Israel is about to release won't lead the charge in the next massacre?  This ceasefire agreement echoes the 2011 Gilad Shalit hostage deal where Israel agreed to release 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas in 2006 and held hostage for 5 years. Among the convicted palestinian prisoners released was Yahya Sinwar, the evil mastermind behind the October 7th massacre.

Early on in this war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined specific terms for a ceasefire with Hamas that focus on the total dismantlement of Hamas's military and governance capabilities, ensuring a "complete victory" over them. His terms included the non-negotiable release of all hostages, no continued control of Gaza by Hamas, and the implementation of security measures like the demilitarization of Gaza and maintaining strategic military presence. Given the terms of the current ceasefire, His words seem like distant echoes in this new reality. What changed?  How did we pivot from demanding Hamas's total surrender and the immediate return of all 98 hostages to accepting just 33 hostages over 42 days, with Israel making massive concessions?

Among Israelis, Public opinion is split; some see this as a necessary evil to bring the hostages home, others view it as Israeli leaders bowing to pressure from incoming president Donald Trump. The whispers of secret deals, perhaps concessions in Judea and Samaria, or boosted military aid - it all feels like we're playing a high-stakes game of politics on the international stage, where world leaders gamble with the lives of Israelis. 

Israel's reliance on diplomacy and support from Western countries, particularly the United States, is more harmful than beneficial to its citizens and soldiers who are courageously defending the tiny nation amidst a sea of Jihadi Muslims hellbent on destroying Israel and reclaiming Al-Quds (Jerusalem). When Trump declared that Hamas would have “Hell to pay” if they didn't release the hostages, who knew that meant tightening the screws on Israel? We’re still in early days, who knows what backroom deals may have been brokered; Time will tell whether Israel’s concessions were worth the price of Hamas still reigning in Gaza. For now, a sense of betrayal lingers.

This war could have been over within the first week after October 7th, not necessarily by the might of the IDF, but rather by the US putting the pressure where it really mattered. The Biden administration wrongly pressured Israel into allowing aid into Gaza, much of which was stolen by Hamas, funding their war efforts. The U.S. also legitimized Qatar, a known supporter of terrorism and home to Hamas leaders, by giving them a diplomatic role. Instead the US should have demanded Qatar expel Hamas and seize their bank accounts or else. By holding Israel to standards it wouldn't apply to itself and urging reduced attacks on Iran and its proxies, the U.S. compromised Israel's defense capabilities. This approach prioritizes diplomacy over decisive victory, overlooking the genocidal goals of Israel's enemies, which means Israeli soldiers had to walk on eggshells while fighting Hamas terrorists.

So what has the diplomatic approach given us? A deal with the Devil.

Hamas has won the war of public perception through their media propaganda and complete disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians. They have experienced increased support among Palestinians in Judea and Samaria and around the world. Additionally, they have managed to ignite the worst wave of antisemitism globally since Nazi Germany. They're not just surviving; they're thriving. Yes, they've suffered many losses militarily, but as long as they can live to fight another day, dying as martyrs while taking the lives of Jews and "Zionist occupiers," they consider themselves victorious.

This ceasefire, this moment of pause in a long war, it's not peace. It's a temporary silence before the storm we all know is coming.

But for now, we pray that God would do miraculous work among Israelis and Palestinians, we pray for healing over a traumatized nation, we hope for a more peaceful future, and we remember the slain and honor those who paid the ultimate price defending our country.

I will shed many tears of joy seeing those precious souls released from Hamas captivity, as well as tears of anguish and sorrow for each hostage we learn has perished while captive in the most hellish conditions.

Every life is precious, and every moment of peace is invaluable. However, until all hostages are safely returned home and Hamas is no more, sadly this war isn't over. 

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,

    and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

    blessed are all those who wait for him.

Isaiah 30:18