Hamas’ Release of the Hostages: One Jewish Person’s Perspective

Israelis, Jews around the globe, opposers of Hamas, some Gazan civilians and others worldwide celebrated Hamas’ release of the last 20 living hostages on October 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 cease fire agreement. Jewish institutions everywhere sent emails.

There was dancing in the streets — literally – as, coincidentally, it was a festive Jewish holiday at the same time. Hallelujah! Lives were saved and more lives would be saved!

But our celebrations were dampened. Where were the remaining hostages that never made it home?

The remainder are dead.

According to the Associated Press, 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. Yes, the last 20 living hostages were recently returned alive, but the bodies of 48 dead hostages were not all sent home. Only four bodies were initially returned after the cease fire agreement was implemented. Then another four a little later, but with one not being a hostage.

As of this writing, families are waiting for their loved ones’ bodies so they can bury their dead — their sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, who they have been waiting two years for, never knowing their fate.

This is what happens when you are dealing with terrorists. They claim they don’t have access to all the bodies. When you have no respect for life and no respect for the deceased either, I would imagine this could be problematic.

I cried for those we lost. One thousand two hundred Innocent men, women, young and old, were brutally killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

During the course of the war, over one thousand Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers were reported dead, with even more injured.

Hamas kidnapped 251 hostages. From previous negotiations, 160 hostages were released at the cost of freeing 1,950 prisoners (terrorists and criminals) held by Israel.

In this most recent prisoner return in exchange for the remaining 20 hostages, 2,000 criminals and terrorists were released. Some of these individuals had been arrested for bombings and other acts of terror that they inflicted on the Israeli civilian population. Some were serving a life sentence. We’re talking serious terrorists here!

The last 20 hostages that Israel just received were held captive for 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? The hostages didn’t know what had become of their families, especially those relatives 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 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, but they also cost the lives of their own people.

While we can’t know the exact number of Gazans killed, due to unreliable reporting from Gaza, we do know that many thousands are dead and that Israel has been blamed for all of these deaths. There is proof, however, that Hamas terrorists have been executing their own people who dare to speak out against them.

Unfortunately, the damage done to public opinion of Israel and Jews in the US and internationally can’t be reversed. The hate, violence and antisemitic behavior against Jews cannot be undone. Too many people have bought into Hamas’ propaganda. Many will continue to hate Israel.

And some will continue to view Israelis as killers, believing that Israel committed genocide, despite the extensive humanitarian aid delivered, the attempts to move Gazan residents to safety, the doctors and nurses giving medical care to Palestinians and other acts of heroism and bravery.

Hadassah, through the Hadassah Medical Organization, was instrumental in life-saving efforts, both inside and outside of its two hospitals in Jerusalem – Hadassah Mount Scopus and Hadassah Ein Kerem.

Hadassah had “boots on the ground” immediately after October 7, treating mass casualties and providing individualized, comprehensive, compassionate care, including mental health and rehabilitation services to both soldiers and civilians. The Gandel Rehabilitation Center, with its underground facilities, opened in record time, ahead of schedule, to meet the needs of the wounded.

We can only hope and pray that this ceasefire will continue, that promises and deals will be adhered to and that we can have everlasting peace in the Middle East. If only we could see an end to war throughout the world!