“For a moment at least, as the first hostages were released, Israelis once again acted like a united people. Catching a televised glimpse on Sunday as the three young women were transferred to Red Cross officials while surrounded by hundreds of terrorists, a whole nation seemed to weep with relief.

The joy over their release was mixed with rage against a terrorist regime that holds children and old people hostage while denying their families proof that their loved ones are still alive. When a masked terrorist laid his hand on one of the young women during the handover, I wanted to throttle him. I imagine other Israeli parents felt the same.”

Read the full piece by Yossi Klein Halevi in the Jewish News of Northern California