That is why, even amid the anguish of Israeli hostage families pleading for their loved ones’ return, I must sound a note of caution: a ceasefire that leaves Hamas standing is not peace. It’s a guarantee of future bloodshed.
No one can look into the eyes of the parents whose sons and daughters are being held in Gaza and not be moved. As a father, I empathize deeply with their desperation. But hard experience teaches us that temporary reprieves can come at a terrible long-term cost. Calls to halt Israel’s military campaign in Gaza or to release hundreds of convicted terrorists in exchange for some—but tragically, not all, and in stages no less—of the hostages will only embolden Hamas and set the stage for the next massacre.
Israel has been down this road before. In 2011, more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners were released to bring home one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. Many of them went on to orchestrate or participate in attacks that murdered Israelis in cafes, buses and homes. In fact, some of those freed...
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