“Restrain your voice from weeping,
Jeremiah 31:16-17
Your eyes from shedding tears;
For there is a reward for your labor
—declares GOD:
They shall return from the enemy’s land.
And there is hope for your future
—declares GOD:
Your children shall return to their borders.”
These verses came to mind for many Israelis and their friends around the world watching the release from captivity of three young girls. Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were taken from their cabins in the youth section of Kibbutz Kfar Azza, and Romi Gonen from the outdoor Nova Music festival, on October 7, 2023. 471 days later, they returned home.
The editorial team at the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune shares in the joy of this moment. We are thankful for the persistent efforts of the Israeli and American hostage negotiators, and especially gratified to see an outgoing and incoming US administration working together to free Americans, Israelis and others. Let’s hope for more such teamwork in the future.
The emotions of the moment should not cloud the difficulty of the tasks ahead. They include release of all hostages, removal of Hamas from governance, and reconstruction of Gaza. The social solidarity of the Israeli people, on public display in the home-coming, will also manifest itself in the task of bringing to justice every person involved in October 7, from Hamas members and other Gazan perpetrators to their external supporters.
Those tasks lie ahead. Today we mark the start of a return of children to their borders.
