The war is not over

The war is not over. Especially for the families of the soldiers, the war is not over.

I have heard so many sighs of relief. I know of so many celebrations this past week, and so many people saying, “The war is over!”

I share in their enthusiasm; I too rejoice at the return of the living hostages, each and every one of them.

But the war is not over.

Hamas has not kept its side of the bargain. They are still holding many of the bodies of fallen hostages in Gaza.

And Hamas has not agreed to lay down its weapons, disarm, and relinquish control of Gaza. Nor do they seem willing to do so, given the reports of Hamas executing its opposition in their attempt to strengthen their control over the Gazan population. There is still a long road ahead of us, for all of us who want the war to be over.

For those of us with family members in the army, the war is not over. Our loved ones are holding the line against the Hamas terrorists who are constantly testing the boundaries. Our soldiers will be the ones to “take care of it” (in the parlance of the president of the United States) if Hamas does not disarm.

I can tell you that I am still holding my breath. I am still not sleeping at night. And I am not the only one. The parents who have children in active service and in the reserves. Some have one in each. The wives who await their reservist soldiers return; one newly married wife shuttles between the new apartment she should be sharing with her husband and her parents’ home, while she prays for her husband’s safe return. The women who are taking care of four children on their own, while their husbands guard the many fronts.

We are all thrilled that the living hostages are home. We pray for their complete recoveries. And we also pray that the next phase of this ongoing war is implemented in a way that is safe for our soldiers.

So please: Stop asking me, “Now that the war is over, are your boys home?” When you post about your celebration of the end of the war with your family, please think about our families who are still at war. Please before asking (and organizations are doing this too), “Now that the war is over, how do we move forward as a country?” And please don’t ask if it’s time to stop saying Tehillim (Psalms) for the soldiers. They need our prayers.

Yes, absolutely, rejoice in the return of our hostages. But please stop acting and speaking as if the war is over. It is not over. So please continue to hope and pray for a swift and peaceful resolution to this war. Our soldiers — and their families — still need you.