A ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas. The accord’s first stage called for the phased release of 33 hostages — alive or dead — over a period of 42 days.
Initially, three young Israeli women were released on Sunday. Since then, four additional hostages—Daniela Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, and Karina Ariev—were freed during a choreographed ceremony in Gaza. These seven individuals represent a fraction of those being held captive, but their release offers a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing crisis. Israel estimates that 25 of the 33 people to be returned are alive.
The release of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists remains one of several Israeli obligations as part of the ceasefire deal.
What guidance can we find in Jewish law?
One hundred of Israel’s leading rabbinic authorities have publicly declared what almost every Torah scholar who supports service in the Israel Defense Forces knows: The Halacha (Jewish law) forbids endangering the nation even for the precious mitzvah of redeeming the captives. The Torah teaches that we “must not ransom captives for more than their value, for tikkun olam, the good order of the world” (Talmud).
Why? If we are willing to pay any price, no matter how exorbitant, to free our loved ones who have been taken hostage, our enemies will only be encouraged to kidnap more Jews in the future.
This principle was tragically demonstrated by Meir of Rothenburg, a great medieval rabbi. Meir refused release after being kidnapped, understanding that his ransom would only set a precedent for future kidnappings. Jewish law is clear: when the release of hostages endangers the Jewish nation, the consequences must be weighed with extreme caution.
The dilemma of lopsided exchanges
The Jewish world learned this truth the hard way on Oct. 7, 2023. In 2011, Israel released 1,027 convicted terrorists in exchange for Gilad Shalit. Among those released was Yahya Sinwar, the infamous Hamas leader responsible for orchestrating the Oct. 7 massacre and abductions.
Israel’s Justice Ministry has announced plans to release 1,904 Palestinian terrorists in the first stage of the current deal, some of whom have committed heinous crimes against Israelis. Among those set for release are individuals like Zakaria Zubeidi, Mohammad Abu Warda, and Mahmoud Attalah, whose past actions have resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians.
While every life saved is a cause for celebration, Jewish law and history remind us to consider the broader implications. The release of known terrorists endangers the state’s future and its citizens’ safety, and such exchanges often lead to more abductions and attacks.
The path forward
As the ceasefire unfolds, we are left with pressing questions: How many lives have been risked or lost to restore a fragile status quo? If war resumes, how many soldiers will be killed retaking booby-trapped territory surrendered in a ceasefire agreement?
While there are political considerations for both sides, the moral imperative should outweigh fleeting political gains. Independent nations must act with their citizens’ security as the highest priority.
May God give Israel’s leaders the wisdom to act responsibly and judiciously, finding solutions that ensure the safety of the entire Jewish people. Let us also pray for the return of all Israeli hostages and the time when Israel and Jews worldwide can live in safety and security.
