As Israelis observe Passover, a major Jewish festival commemorating liberation from bondage, the nation’s military leaders have reaffirmed a core mission: securing the release of the fifty-nine hostages still held by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. With the trauma of the October 7th, 2023 massacre—the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust—still fresh, every decision and action by Israel’s defense establishment remains shaped by the urgent imperative to bring the hostages home and eliminate the terrorist capabilities threatening the country’s future.
The context for this mission is stark. On October 7th, Hamas launched an unprecedented and brutal invasion into Israeli territory. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed in a single day, and families were torn apart in a campaign of violence that, according to all credible documentation, involved mass executions, sexual assaults, mutilations, and the abduction of civilians of all ages. The hostages currently held in Gaza remain at the heart of Israel’s national consciousness, representing both an ongoing human tragedy and a rallying point for national resolve.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, every military operation in Gaza is designed around two non-negotiable objectives: to free Israeli hostages and decisively defeat Hamas. These priorities have been articulated across every echelon of Israel’s security apparatus, from front-line commanders to the most senior levels of government. The distinction between the hostages—innocent civilians taken by force—and convicted terrorists released in past exchanges is both moral and legal, underlining the stark realities Israel faces.
The IDF’s reserve system, one of the world’s most robust, has been called into action at an unprecedented scale. Amid the Passover celebrations, tens of thousands of reservists are stationed across Gaza, the northern frontier with Lebanon, and Judea and Samaria, leaving their families and livelihoods in service to national defense. These soldiers, supported by conscripts and professional officers, embody the citizen-soldier ethos that has defined Israel since its founding.
During the holiday, IDF senior commanders visited front-line units to express solidarity and appreciation, reinforcing morale at a time of heightened national sacrifice. Major General Ori Gordin of the Northern Command marked the holiday with Battalion 94 at the Dovav post and residents of the frequently targeted Kibbutz Sasa. In the south, where active combat operations continue, Major General Yaniv Asor met with members of the Givati Brigade in the vital Rafah sector of Gaza. Meanwhile, Major General Avi Blot of the Central Command sat with Battalion 50 soldiers operating to maintain security in Judea and Samaria.
The current war in Gaza is not an isolated campaign. It is part of a larger conflict against an Iranian-orchestrated alliance of terror networks stretching from Gaza to the Lebanese border, across Syria and into Yemen. These groups—Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and militias directed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps—share a declared objective: undermining and ultimately destroying the world’s only Jewish state. Iranian-backed weapons, money, and training have enabled these organizations to mount ever more sophisticated and deadly attacks, placing Israel in a persistent state of high alert on multiple fronts.
The operational challenges in Gaza are acute. Hostages are believed to be held in heavily fortified tunnels and civilian areas, complicating rescue attempts and increasing risks for both the captives and the IDF. Hamas, meanwhile, routinely violates the laws of armed conflict by using civilians as human shields, storing weapons in homes, schools, and mosques, and issuing propaganda designed to undermine Israel’s legitimacy among international audiences. The IDF operates under strict rules of engagement, striving to minimize civilian casualties even as it seeks military objectives—a balance that, while difficult, is emphasized as central to Israel’s moral code and international obligations.
Families of the hostages, united in anguish, continue to press for stronger measures and greater transparency from the government. Their advocacy is a constant presence in public discourse, reinforcing the national commitment that no Israeli will be abandoned. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a prominent voice in this crisis, works in tandem with Israeli authorities to keep the plight of their loved ones front and center both domestically and abroad.
While much of the world has affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, the conflict has generated considerable misinformation and bias from regional antagonists and some global media outlets. In response, Israeli officials and allied democracies have worked to clarify the strategic reality: Israel is acting to restore security, rescue innocents, and dismantle a terrorist infrastructure created and sustained by the Iranian regime. The war is not merely military—it is a struggle to preserve the principles of sovereignty, democracy, and the right to live free from persistent terror.
Unity inside Israel remains strong. Passover is observed this year under the shadow of conflict, but also with renewed determination to ensure national security and dignity. Every holiday meal, every expression of support for IDF soldiers and reservists, reaffirms the national promise to do everything possible for the hostages’ return and to keep the nation safe. The ongoing campaign in Gaza, though fraught with difficulty and sacrifice, is seen not only as a battle for today, but as a critical stand to secure the freedom and safety of future generations.
Looking forward, the outcome of efforts in Gaza will shape both Israel’s security architecture and the regional order for years to come. The rescue of each hostage, the defeat of Hamas, and the reinforcement of a deterrent posture against Iran and its proxies will remain the immediate and enduring benchmarks for Israel’s leaders and people. In every respect, the current war underscores the enduring stakes of the country’s struggle for survival—and the unwavering resolve to overcome the gravest threats through unity, courage, and moral clarity.
