Israeli victims of terror concerned with murderers’ release from prison, relieved 7 hostages back home

As part of the second stage of the high-stakes ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, four female hostages who had been held by the terror group in Gaza for 477 days — Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag — were reunited with their families Saturday. 

In exchange, Israel released 121 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment for deadly terror attacks and an additional 79 prisoners serving lengthy sentences

A bus carrying released Palestinian security prisoners arrives in the West Bank city of Beitunia as part of the ceasefire deal with Israel. As part of the deal, the Netanyahu government agreed to release a large number of convicted terrorists Jan. 20, 2025.  (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Zohar Dvir, former commander of the elite Yamam counterterrorism unit, told Fox News Digital, “Arresting such a terrorist requires immense investment in intelligence, planning, creativity and a high level of risk for our forces, who often pay a heavy price. However, when it comes to the lives of many hostages, we are compelled to pay a heavy price by releasing terrorists.

“The chances of rescuing them alive diminish dramatically from one operation to the next, as time passes. The way to release hostages alive is through a deal. Talking from experience, the security establishment has a long memory and will settle accounts with everyone sooner or later, wherever they may be.”

Israeli journalist Yair Cherki, whose brother was killed in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem, weighed in on the deal’s implications. 

“Israel succumbed to humanitarian pressure at the most critical moment, providing aid that effectively reinforced Hamas’s civilian control in Gaza,” Cherki said. “Diplomatically, the strategy relied entirely on waiting for Trump, which proved to be a dead end. Like Biden’s “don’t,” Trump’s gates of hell also worked both ways, leaving Israel without any diplomatic leverage.

Israeli hostage families carry the photos of their loved ones held hostage by Hamas in Gaza as they march to Jerusalem. (Matan Golan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

“After 15 months, the time for the hostages has run out, and Israel is left with no choice but to accept the deal to bring the hostages home and begin healing a fractured society. Releasing these terrorists is not just a problem for the victims’ families, but for all Israeli society and future victims.

“This cycle of deals leading to murder and kidnapping must end. Releasing the hostages reflects our society’s commitment to life and mutual responsibility. This is our DNA.”

Even those directly affected, like Fuld and Etinger, acknowledge the hostages must be prioritized. 

“Most families support the deal because they would do anything to bring their loved ones back,” Etinger noted. “But we fear these released terrorists will harm others.”

Cherki underscored the collective responsibility of Israeli society. 

“This deal is not just about individual families,” Cherki said. “It’s about a society’s commitment to life and solidarity. Despite its flaws, this deal may serve as a key to healing a broken nation.”