
Along with people around the world, we at Inland Empire for Israel were grateful to see three Israeli hostages reunited with their family on Jan. 19. We await the homecoming of 30 more hostages slated for release in the first phase of a ceasefire deal with Hamas and remain hopeful that an additional 65 hostages will be freed in the second stage of the deal.
Our joy is tempered knowing that not all the hostages will come home alive. Hamas murdered some on Oct. 7, 2023, their lifeless bodies dragged back to Gaza to be ransomed by the terrorists; Hamas murdered others in captivity for reasons we may never know. We hope the return of the dead will at least bring closure to their families. We also understand the anguish of Israeli families forced to watch terrorists who murdered their loved ones go free in exchange for innocent men, women and children abducted by Hamas.
Inland Empire for Israel deplores the taking of all hostages, their deaths and the deaths of all Israelis, civilians and soldiers, on Oct 7 and since. As long as Hamas remains focused on destroying Israel and murdering Jews, peace in the region remains elusive.
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