Watching the news about Israeli hostages being released is an incredible joy and brings tears to my eyes. It reminds me of my release from prison after being sentenced to death by hanging in Iran for the crime of converting to Christianity. I endured months of mental, physical hardships, and intense interrogation in Evin prison – one of the most brutal prisons in the world.

As much as I was happy to be free from that dungeon, I felt profound sadness knowing I was leaving behind friends and many innocent prisoners who had no voice. I left prison with a big burden and heavy heart. I was also bitter and angry having witnessed the execution, sexual abuse, and torture of my cellmates.

After my release and the execution of my dear Iranian Kurdish friend, Shirin Alamhooli, I had become a new person, unfamiliar with the outside world. I was determined to see the destruction of evil Islamic regime in Iran, a promise I made to Shirin before her execution.

Today, I understand the mixed feelings among Israelis about the hostages. Family members are elated by the return of their loved ones, while they are worried about what they endured and what new people they may have become. After more than 470 days in captivity, almost double what I endured, they will not be the same people anymore.

On the other hand, others are mourning and waiting to receive the bodies of their loved ones to bury. Among the remaining hostages, it’s estimated that more than a third are dead. And of the living, what they endured will surely change them for as long as they live.

Many Israelis are asking if the deal of exchanging hostages with Hamas terrorists is a good deal. Will Hamas abide by the terms of the deal? The answer is “NO.” Will they exploit every opportunity to create maximal terror and grief? The answer is “YES.”

Reports are that 1,904 terrorists who have the blood of many Israelis on their hands will be released in exchange for 33 Israeli civilian hostages. It is madness to release thousands of terrorists who are thirsty for the blood of Jewish people in exchange for Israeli babies, grandparents, and women who have been raped and abused for months.

As much as I am overjoyed seeing the hostages released, I strongly believe any kind of deal with Hamas terrorists is wrong. The world should make them accountable for their crimes against humanity and killing thousands of Israeli civilians, not to mention their own people. Hamas must be pressured to release all the hostages immediately, unconditionally.

Foolish, ridiculous you say? Well, no more than appeasing the terrorists to begin with and emboldening them and their Iranian Islamic regime patrons.

During my captivity as much as I wanted to get released, when my captors and the judges told me you will face execution if you insist on your faith and refuse to convert back to Islam, I said I prefer to be executed instead of denying my faith. I resisted not only for my faith in Jesus, but also because I would not bow down to those evil people under any condition. I was not a criminal. I did not do anything to deserve being in prison. Why should I repent and apologize? They should repent and apologize to me for taking away my rights and treating me like a criminal. The same is true with Hamas.

Hostage-taking is in the DNA of all terrorists. The Islamic Republic regime of Iran is the godfather of Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, and all their proxies. They have taught their Islamic proxies the same tactics. They usually take Iranians and western civilians as hostage in exchange for their demands and asking billions of dollars. They take advantage of the trauma and the pressure that the family members of the hostages put on the world leaders.

We must stand with Israel at this time of tension and trauma, and reinforce our own values to protect America and the west from the expansionist tentacles of the Islamic regime octopus. Unfortunately, I know from firsthand experience and this truth cannot be overstated.

Marziyeh Amirizadeh is an Iranian American who immigrated to the US after being sentenced to death in Iran for the crime of converting to Christianity.   She endured months of mental and physical hardships and intense interrogation. She is author of two books (the latest, A Love Journey with God), public speaker, and columnist. She has shared her inspiring story throughout the United States and around the world, to bring awareness about the ongoing human rights violations and persecution of women and religious minorities in Iran, www.MarzisJourney.com.

Marzi also is the founder and president of NEW PERSIA whose mission is to be the voice of persecuted Christians and oppressed women under Islam, expose the lies of the Iranian Islamic regime, and restore the relationships between Persians, Jews, and Christians. www.NewPersia.org