In the face of Hamas’s terrorism, choosing life is essential

Ashraf Zughayer was sentenced to six life terms in prison for his role in the Tel Aviv massacre.

He was released as part of a ceasefire deal in exchange for freeing some of the Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas on 7 October 2023 .

In return, Israel would have to release 737 Palestinians arrested for terrorism, the majority (many of these with convictions) and the rest, pending trial or further investigation.

The biblical injunction to 'choose life' has been a guiding principle of Western civilisation.

Hamas might see our obsession with hostages and our willingness to pay such a heavy price for their return, both dead and alive, as a weakness.

Despite my family’s personal grief, that strength makes me proud. And so, we will choose life every time. There is no other way. We must do what it takes to bring all hostages home it is core to who we are.