When a Nation Rejoices and Mourns

January 20, 2025

by: Janet Aslin ~ Bridges for Peace

Monday, 20 January 2025 | It seemed like the whole nation was holding its breath yesterday. After all, it had been a rollercoaster ride of a week. Would the ceasefire actually go into effect on Sunday morning as planned or would Hamas hijack it at the last moment? What were the names of the three hostages to be released? In what physical and mental condition would they be? All these thoughts and more were running through the minds of Israelis as well as the Jewish community around the world.

According to the Times of Israel, roughly 2,000 people gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to pray and follow the news coverage throughout Sunday afternoon. Along with the rest of the nation, they watched silently and with bated breath as the three women about to be released were surrounded by armed Hamas militants during their transfer to the International Committee of the Red Cross. Even then, Israel was still holding its breath.

It wasn’t until 18:03, when the IDF Spokesperson finally announced that Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher had crossed into Israeli territory that a jubilant shout went up from the crowd, and all over Israel, people began to breathe again. Three hostages had come home to their families.

The weeks and even months leading up to the deal have been like a rollercoaster for the nation. The news would report that progress had been made. Shortly thereafter, it would be announced that there were impassable barriers to the deal. And the negotiations were necessarily shrouded, to some degree, in secrecy. Finally, the agreement was hammered out. Yet still the uncertainty remained. Would Hamas renege on what it had agreed to? Would the agreement hold? Did Israelis dare to hope that, at long last, they would see the return of the 97 remaining hostages?

Under the terms of the deal, the ceasefire was to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 19. One of the conditions was that Hamas was to provide a list of names of those to be released 24 hours before the ceasefire. By 8:35 a.m. that had not happened. Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that the ceasefire would not go into effect until Israel had received names. At 10:31 a.m. Israel received the names and at 11:15 a.m., the ceasefire was official. Israelis began to hope that this might, indeed, be the day when the hostages would begin to come home at last.

The actual transfer of hostages from Hamas’s hands into the open arms of their families began around 15:00 p.m. when Red Cross vehicles brought the women from the locations where they had been held to a central point in Gaza. The streets were crowded with Gazans who had come to watch the exchange. News footage showed a heavy presence of armed militants, many sporting the green Hamas bandanas. Israelis across the country were glued to their screens as they watched Romi, Emily and Doron, each in a separate vehicle surrounded by armed men. The women held their heads high, and we all rejoiced to see that they were walking unassisted as they were transferred to yet another Red Cross vehicle for the trip to the point where the IDF would receive them.

Upon their arrival in Israel, it was announced that, “Troops and medical personnel of the IDF accompany the returnees who will undergo an initial medical evaluation. IDF representatives are accompanying the family members to the hospital and give them regular updates.”

AlI Israel News shared this statement from Doron Steinbrecher’s family, “After 471 unbearably difficult days, our beloved Dudu returned to our arms. We want to thank everyone who supported and accompanied us along the way from the bottom of our hearts. A special thanks to the people of Israel for the warm embrace, the unceasing support and the strength you gave us in the most difficult moments.”

Families of the other two women expressed similar thoughts and words of gratitude.

However, in the midst of the rejoicing and joy, there is a sad truth: Israel still faces a long road ahead. The Hamas terror organization is a mastermind of psychological warfare, claiming victory when the ceasefire agreement was initially announced last week. The terror group will also attempt to manipulate the process, as they have already done when they did not provide the list of names. One cannot help but wonder what the next six weeks will have in store as the rest of the ceasefire unfolds.

And the cost Israel has paid for the deal has been a steep one: the release of several thousand Palestinian prisoners, many perpetrators of violent acts of terror, which took the lives of countless Israelis.

On Saturday evening, Eitan Fuld was notified that the terrorist who murdered his brother Ari in 2018 was set to be released in the deal. Israel News reported Eitan’s response, “The release of Ari’s murderer hurts…My biggest problem, and everyone else’s, is the next people to be murdered and the next families who will unfortunately join the bereaved families…”

And Eitan represents just one of many Israeli families who are facing the same grim news. In the midst of joy, there is pain and sorrow.

To summarize, what is our role as Christians? Perhaps Paul said it best when he wrote, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Roman 12:15). Today in Israel, there is ample opportunity for both. There are those who are rejoicing and those who are mourning. Let us be those who will stand with and for the people and nation of God.

Posted on January 20, 2025

Source: (Bridges for Peace, January 20, 2025)

Photo Credit: Ma'ayan Toaf, GPO