In a trap: Alexander’s release deepens Israel’s divisions

Israel is caught in a brutal bind, and it’s tearing the country apart. The war with Hamas, sparked by the group’s monstrous 7 October 2023, attack, has forced a choice that is pure agony: pursue a ceasefire to free the hostages, even if it means letting Hamas remain in power and dishonouring the graves of fallen soldiers? Or keep fighting to destroy Hamas entirely, knowing it could cost the hostages’ lives and more young troops from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). This isn’t just about tactics, it’s about the soul of Israel. With the release of one of the hostages, Edan Alexander, this week, the argument has grown more intricate, raising questions about diplomacy, morality, and the nation’s future.

The ceasefire supporters are laser-focused on bringing the hostages home. After Alexander’s release on Monday, 12 May, 58 remain trapped in Gaza, of whom three more were announced dead in recent days. The thought of those captives suffering in tunnels, or worse, is a knife to the heart for their families and vast swaths of the country, who are pleading for a deal. They point to Alexander’s release, a dual United States-Israeli citizen, as proof that negotiating with Hamas can work.

Hamas called the release a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration, aiming to facilitate ceasefire talks and secure humanitarian aid for Gaza, timed with US President Donald Trump’s Middle East visit that started on Tuesday, 13 May. Though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted, at the time of writing, that no concessions were made, a Hamas official suggested that the move followed unspecified US promises, possibly involving aid or prisoner exchanges. Facilitated by US envoy Steve Witkoff through Qatari and Egyptian mediation, with secret talks between Witkoff and Hamas’s Khalil al-Hayya, the release hints at broader diplomatic openings.

Previous releases have come at a steep price: Israel has freed hardened terrorists for hostages, every terrorist released a potential threat down the line. Ceasefire supporters argue that this is the only path: negotiate, even with terrorists, because every life matters. They lean heavily on Jewish values like pidyon shvuyim (redeeming captives), insisting that Israel cannot abandon its people. Yet, the opaque US promises and freed terrorists fuel fears that such deals could embolden Hamas or sow future instability.

A ceasefire would probably mean that Hamas would retain control of Gaza, a bitter pill that feels like defeat after immense sacrifices in the form of hundreds of IDF soldiers dead and thousands wounded. Families of those troops are enraged that their loved ones died for an incomplete mission, their grief compounded by the prospect of Hamas regrouping. Sparing Hamas could also embolden Iran and Hezbollah, signalling weakness. Past ceasefires have often crumbled, with rockets raining down anew. Ceasefire supporters acknowledge the complexity, but argue that saving lives now outweighs future risks. To them, abandoning hostages betrays Israel’s moral core, scarring the nation’s identity.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, those advocating for Hamas’s destruction are resolute. They ache for the hostages but insist that the government must prioritise the nation, not just 58 captives. Hamas, with its tunnels, rockets, and mission to erase Israel, is no minor threat. The events of 7 October proved it will do anything – murder, rape, the works. Allowing it to survive invites another massacre. They demand that Hamas’s military and leadership be dismantled, showing Iran, Hezbollah, and others that Israel stands firm. Alexander’s release gladdens them, but they fear it casts Hamas as reasonable, letting it manipulate the hostages and emerge stronger. Every terrorist released for a hostage is a future attack in waiting. And, the diplomatic manoeuvring, involving US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators, deepens concerns that Hamas is outmanoeuvring Israel.

The cost is staggering. Airstrikes and ground operations endanger hostages, and Hamas shows no mercy. The IDF’s young soldiers, some barely 19, face mounting funerals. The war erodes Israel’s global standing, with the US uneasy and protests worldwide. Victory advocates argue that it’s necessary: a surviving Hamas leaves Israel vulnerable. They loathe losing hostages or troops, but believe a government must think broadly: 10 million Israelis depend on it. Anything less betrays the fallen.

This debate is fracturing Israel. Hostage families march, voices raw, while others back Netanyahu, who intensifies the fight, perhaps to dodge corruption trials. Protests rage – people are furious, heartbroken, and terrified. Alexander’s release fuels both sides: ceasefire supporters see diplomatic hope, war advocates a trap strengthening Hamas. Neither side is villainous. They want Israel to endure, but they’re worlds apart. One fixates on hostage posters; the other envisions a Hamas-free future.

Where does this lead? No-one knows. A ceasefire might bring more like Alexander home but allow Hamas to regroup, rendering soldiers’ deaths meaningless. Fighting on might eliminate the enemy but risks losing hostages and soldiers, straining alliances. It’s a moral crucible – individuals or the nation? Israel’s values face a brutal test, with no clear resolution. Alexander’s release, balancing hope and peril, underscores the stakes. For us in South Africa, it highlights the pain felt by Jews everywhere. We cannot resolve it, but we can listen, pray, and hope that Israel honours both its people and its future.

• Paula Slier is the founder and chief executive of Newshound Media International, and hosts the afternoon Home Run on ChaiFM.