It’s not over until it is over

When I arrived in Israel just days after all the living hostages were returned, I expected to feel elated and in a country in the midst of crazy celebration. But as I walked down the corridor at Ben Gurion Airport, which had previously been lined with hostage posters, I noticed they hadn’t all been removed. A number of posters of those who had already been returned were still up, but they had various stickers on them. Obviously, the posters of those whose bodies have not yet come home were still there too. 

Much like the confusion around the hostage posters, there isn’t a clear-cut sense in Israel of extreme happiness that all the living hostages are home and the ceasefire is in place. Truth is, ask any Israeli, nothing seems concrete. While there is reason to celebrate all the living hostages being home and surrounded by loved ones, they have endured excruciating horror over the past two years. That won’t disappear, nor will the deep scars and emotional wounds heal quickly, no matter how much we wish them away. 

We also have a country of people who have been through a two-year-long war. And though the Iron Dome may have saved millions of lives by protecting citizens from physical devastation, they have still lived through a war, causing massive psychological and emotional distress throughout the country. 

Very few Israeli families have been left unscathed by the impact of the massacre on 7 October 2023, and then their sons, husbands, fathers, boyfriends, and friends having been sent to Gaza or serving on other borders. Those doing their military service had no choice but to serve where they were sent, most often to Gaza. Neither did those who were called on many, many times for extended periods to do their miluim (reserve duty) in Gaza or wherever they were needed in the war. The impact of what they have experienced and the sleepless nights of their families back home worrying has taken its toll. 

I’m sure each person impacted has somehow been changed by his or her experiences. When a war goes on for two years, it’s impossible to walk away unscathed, no matter how strong and resilient you are. And Israelis are clearly resilient and strong, but so very human too. 

So, yes, there is a definite sense of relief that there is a ceasefire, however most Israelis seem hard-pressed to believe that it is actually all over – and will stay over. Though there’s no question that they all wish the war was behind them and that they could now move on to healing and a peaceful future, there’s deep cynicism about it. 

Truth is: Israel has never really known peace, and while this is everything the country stands for and fights for, most often it feels like a far-off dream. 

I overheard an Israeli man with years of experience in the military explaining that it was all very well that there was now a “ceasefire” or “end-of-war” agreement with Hamas, but at the end of the day, Israel has never been able to trust anything that terrorist organisations have said or done. So, it’s hard to start believing them now, not least of all after their clear promises to destroy Israel “from the river to the sea”, and what they did on 7 October. 

Having said all that, there’s a different feeling in Israel to what I experienced when I was last here in June 2024. The pressure has been lifted from the pressure cooker. 

I’m also aware of a deeper compassion emanating from ordinary Israelis. People seem more helpful and caring. Perhaps it’s in my own head, but I don’t think so. 

A few nights back, I was having a late-night drink with family and noticed a large group of men nearby drinking and having a good time. At one point, we noticed them laughing nervously when they brought their bill, which was extensive, and had to have been very expensive judging by the empty bottles of alcohol on their table. 

We asked the manager about them. He told us that they were all miluimniks in Gaza together, and this was a reunion for them. He said that an Israeli man who wasn’t connected to them, nor did he know any of them, had paid their huge bill for the night, which was well over R5 000. He didn’t speak to them, nor did he ask for acknowledgement. He paid the bill and left, telling the manager to thank them for what they did for Israel. 

I happened to be working on the SA Jewish Report while here and rushed out to get a coffee and was on the phone, complaining about bad luck I had that day. When I paid for the coffee, the woman serving me, who had overheard my conversation, offered me a pastry for free to improve my day. 

I could go on, but you get the picture. 

When I heard that the living hostages had returned, I messaged the SA Jewish Report team with happy tears in my eyes to say that we could finally drop the yellow ribbon we have kept on our masthead since the hostages had been kidnapped and forced into Gaza. However, as you may well notice, it’s still there because there are still some Israelis who haven’t yet been returned. As of today, Wednesday, 22 October, 13 bodies are still in Gaza – 11 Israelis and two foreign nationals who were all abducted on 7 October. Like Israel, the SA Jewish Report will wait for their return to drop the yellow ribbon from our masthead. 

And as I write this, I can hear people passionately singing “Am Yisrael Chai” in the distance on the streets of Jerusalem because United States Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, are visiting. While there’s frustration on the streets because roads are closed and massive traffic jams abound, I’m so grateful to be able to be here this week and experience this incredible country. 

Shabbat shalom! 

Peta Krost