738 Days
738 Days…that’s how long 20 people spent as hostages, taken by Hamas terrorists when their attack on Israel began on October 7, 2023. They were released yesterday. We’ve seen tearful and emotional reunions. Those are the hostages in the best shape. No doubt others are not as well off physically. And we can only shudder to consider how they will be emotionally and mentally as time goes on.
Roughly 251 people from Israel were taken hostage, from young children to the elderly. It appears of that 251, 188 were ultimately returned alive. That leaves more than five dozen who perished; the remains of two dozen of them are still in the hands of the terrorists, not immediately returned as they promised.
738 days is more than two years. And it’s nearly a year longer than the Americans taken hostage by Iranian militants spent during the Carter Administration; that ordeal lasted 444 days, ending when Ronald Reagan became president.
The cheering, celebrating, and congratulating that has taken place the past few days in the Middle East is warranted to the extent that the suffering of those final 20 hostages and their families is over. But while optimism reigns, the fact is the region has been a trouble spot for centuries, and while there is hope that this “phase one” leads to a productive “phase two” and ultimate lasting peace, history and tradition is not on their side.
The fact that the world basically stood by while these hostages were still being held is shameful and speaks volumes about how vulnerable Israel is—and why it is so important for the U.S. to have a strong ally in a strong Israel. The disgusting pro-Hamas demonstrations in this country in the past two years underscore that, and make the threat to this country very real, as well.
This is a tremendous step, to free the remaining hostages, and for that there should be gratitude. But as with all things in that region, we can only celebrate cautiously.
