Question

Hello Rabbi,
What is your opinion of the hostage-release deal that was approved this morning, and why?
I’ll note my own view: the ceasefire included in the agreement will allow Hamas to regroup and later harm us with greater force (which will cause damage and loss of life), we will lose international legitimacy, we will encourage this kind of behavior in the future (not encouragement on the level of the Gilad Shalit deal, but still—from their perspective it definitely comes out “worthwhile” to kidnap people), and in addition hostages will still remain, so the IDF will be militarily constrained and the various pressures (from the hostages’ families and others) will remain.