Israelis, Jews, opposers of Hamas, some Gazans and others worldwide celebrated Hamas’ release of the last 20 living hostages on Oct.14, 2025. I literally sobbed when I read the news.
Celebrations abounded throughout my hometown. It felt as though every news article on October 14 was about the hostage release and ceasefire agreement. Jewish institutions everywhere sent emails. There was dancing in the streets, really, as it was a festive Jewish holiday at the same time.
Hallelujah, lives were saved and lives would be saved!
But our celebrations were dampened. Where were the remaining hostages that never made it home?
The remainder are dead.
Fifty-one bodies of hostages had previously been retrieved by Israeli forces, and 15 bodies were returned in deals during the Hamas-Israel war. Eight hostages were blessedly rescued alive. Twenty were recently returned alive, but it has taken Hamas weeks to return the bodies of the deceased hostages who remain in Gaza. As of this writing, we are still waiting for bodies so families can bury their dead, the sons and daughters, mothers and fathers that they had waited two years for, never knowing their fate.
This is what happens when you deal with terrorists. They claim they don’t have access to the bodies. When you have no respect for life and then no respect for the deceased either, I would imagine this could be problematic.
I cried for those we lost. More than 1,200 innocent men, women, young and old were brutally killed by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Over 1,000 Israel Defense Forces soldiers were killed, with even more injured, over the course of the war.
Hamas kidnapped 251 hostages. From previous negotiations, 160 hostages were released at the cost of 1,950 prisoners (terrorists and criminals) held by Israel. And these hostages held by Hamas had been in captivity for a year or more. For this most recent prisoner exchange for the remaining 20 hostages, 2,000 criminals and terrorists were released. Some of these individuals were arrested for bombings and other acts of terror they inflicted on the civilian Israeli population. Some were serving a life sentence. We’re talking serious terrorists here.
These last 20 hostages Israel received were held for two years. Let me repeat — two years. Can you imagine being held prisoner in the depths of the earth, tortured, starved, abused, isolated, harassed and terrified of being murdered every day of your life for two years? They didn’t know what had become of their families, especially those who were also kidnapped. They didn’t know if anyone still cared about them or prayed for them. They only knew the lies and revilement of their captors. The trauma that these individuals endured will stay with them forever. Recently, we lost one survivor of Oct. 7 to suicide. We can only hope that the others will be able to continue on with some semblance of life.
While we celebrate the return of the hostages, we must think of all the costs. Not only did Hamas cost Israelis the lives of their people and a universal sense of worry and anguish, they cost the lives of their own people. While we can’t know an exact number due to unreliable reporting, thousands of Gazans have been killed, and Israel has been blamed for all of them, whether it is true or not. Now, Hamas terrorists have been executing their own people who dare speak out against them.
Unfortunately, the damage done to public opinion of Israel and Jews in the United States and internationally is irreversible. The hate, violence and antisemitic behavior against Jews cannot be undone and fearfully may continue. Hamas’ propaganda was bought into. Many will continue to hate Israel. To some, they will continue to view Israel as killers, believing Israel was committing genocide, despite the humanitarian aid that was delivered throughout the war, the attempt to move Gaza residents to safety, the doctors and nurses giving medical care to Palestinians, Israelis and others, and even more acts of heroism and bravery.
We can only hope and pray that this ceasefire will continue, promises and deals will be adhered to and we can have everlasting peace in the Middle East. If only we could see an end to war throughout the world.
Diane Gensler (dianebgensler@gmail.com) lives in Baltimore and is the author of “Forgive Us Our Trespasses: A Memoir of a Jewish Teacher in a Catholic School.”
