If a deal based on a “compromise” is preferred, then the first demand must be the return of all living hostages. That is a possible compromise. But negotiating the return of only some of the living hostages is a crime against the people of Israel and against the State of Israel.
It would be best to resolve everything and return the living hostages and the deceased in one phase, with the understanding that the price is ending the war, a full withdrawal from Gaza, and the large-scale release of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas is willing to release all the hostages but insists on ending the war.
Removing Hamas from power in Gaza and demilitarizing the Strip must happen—it is Israel’s obligation to achieve these war objectives—but this can be accomplished after the hostages are returned.
We could have brought them all back many months ago, but our prime minister chose—and continues to choose—to prolong the war to extend his time in power. Whatever happens, Netanyahu will go down in history as the worst leader the Jewish people have ever had. Nothing will save him. At the very least, he should exit our lives after bringing back our sisters and brothers from the hell of captivity in Gaza.
