By refusing to cave to Hamas’ demands in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making a difficult but necessary stand — one that prioritizes national security and long-term deterrence over short-term emotional relief.
The grief and desperation felt by the families of the hostages are heart-wrenching and entirely justified. Every Jew and Israeli feels the weight of their suffering. But the impulse to “do whatever it takes” must be tempered by the reality that Hamas is not a rational negotiating partner. It is a terrorist organization that thrives on exploiting Israel’s moral compass, banking on the fact that Israel values life while it glorifies martyrdom.
To reward Hamas (even indirectly) for the horrors of October 7 would send a disastrous message. It would signal to the region and the world that terrorism pays. That abducting civilians is a viable political tool. That the murder, rape, and torture of innocents can translate into political leverage. This is not a precedent Israel — or any state that values human life and democratic norms — can afford to set.
There are those who argue that any price is worth paying to bring hostages home. But this emotional calculus fails to account for what that “price” really entails. Hamas is demanding not just the release of hundreds of convicted terrorists, but a cessation of the very war launched to ensure Israelis are never again subjected to the nightmare of October 7. Meeting these demands would not only embolden Hamas but jeopardize Israel’s ability to dismantle its military infrastructure and restore a sense of deterrence in the region.
The Israeli government has a duty to protect not only the hostages, but the millions of citizens who remain under threat. A premature end to the war or a lopsided deal would likely ensure more bloodshed in the future. It would give Hamas time to regroup, rearm, and plot the next massacre. This cycle must be broken — not fed.
Critics accuse Netanyahu of using hardline rhetoric for political survival. But this line of attack overlooks the broader strategic consensus across Israeli society: that while hostage rescue is critical, it cannot come at the cost of national security or moral clarity. The IDF continues to pursue military options to recover the hostages — a path that, though perilous, avoids rewarding terrorism.
In moments like this, leadership demands the courage to make painful decisions. Netanyahu’s refusal to surrender to Hamas’ blackmail is not callousness — it is a refusal to turn hostages into bargaining chips for the enemy’s gain. It is a commitment to Israel’s long-term safety, sovereignty, and moral backbone.
Freeing the hostages is a sacred mission. But so is ensuring there are no more hostages in the future. That can only happen if Hamas is defeated — not appeased.
