I doubt whether anyone in Israel breathed today.  Despite the terrible fear that the hostage release can break down at any given stage, we were overjoyed that this moment took place.  I have no words for the joy.

And the fear.  Not only for the next  group of hostages, but also for the future, the fear of the next phase of Hamas and the Nukba.  Their hatred is so great that any step we take toward peace is bound to be foiled.  

I will update this soon.

On their way to the hospital to be checked out, I imagined the way the girls feel, and the how their emotions will change in the coming months, and how much that will depend on who else is freed.  So many unknowns – how long they’ll be in the hospital, what has happened to them, what proceeds from here.

What an amazing day.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this could be the beginning of an agreement!