There are things we often think about but never say. That can be a good thing, as the “silent” things could be hurtful, dangerous, or mean. Sometimes the “silent” things can be potential truths that no one wants to hear.

Today, we say the quiet part out loud, knowing that many may not want to hear potential truth.

When Hamas attacked Israelis on October 7 and dragged many of them into Gaza, it seemed clear to me that Israel would not see many of those hostages alive again. I rejoiced in November when about 100 hostages were released, but again, there was the knot in my gut that said, “They are not all coming home.”

Be truthful. I’m sure many of you have had similar thoughts as well. Yet, it is too agonizing to say that the remaining hostages (about 6 dual US-Israel citizens among them, by the way) may not come home at all, much less alive. I pray, dear God, that You make me absolutely wrong.

Since this has been the thought for months, why am I just now saying it? Because it is becoming harder and harder to deny, and other sources are also beginning to say the quiet part out loud. Not only that, but in the latest hostage negotiations Hamas said it out loud! There was talk of releasing 40 non-military hostages. Yet Hamas came right out and said, “We cannot find 40 live hostages that are not men of military age.”

It is vividly clear what Hamas’ plan is for the hostages. They will serve as human shields for the leaders of Hamas who are hunkered down like cowards in the tunnels beneath Gaza. Mark these words: Hamas will never agree to a full release of hostages because they are the surety that they will not get killed.

If left alone, Israel will eventually crush Hamas and pin their leaders in a corner with only two options: release the hostage and be exiled OR be killed. Why would those Hamas leaders ever agree to a full hostage release? Only if military pressure is enough to make them want to surrender and go into exile rather than be killed.

When it comes to the hostages, no one wants to say the quiet part out loud. Many of them have already been killed, and it is not likely that many (if any at all) will return home alive. We don’t want to hear that, and the hostage families most certainly don’t. In fact, they are turning on Benjamin Netanyahu for not getting them home.

But how? Hamas’ demands in return for hostages are absurd: end the war and release thousands of convicted terrorists who will reconstitute and do it all again. Thus, the only hope of getting hostages back is by putting as much military pressure on Hamas’ leaders as possible. If they are desperate enough, perhaps they will release some.

BTW – Hamas will continue to garner worldwide support via media reports of lack of food (not true), killing of innocent civilians (not in the numbers they report), and Israel’s inhuman treatment of civilians (not true).

Friends, it is important to know the truth and to speak the truth. Be bold and take a stand for Israel whenever and wherever you can. And please pray for the hostages and their families. Hostages should not be treated like pawns on the chess board of life. Likewise, they should not be tortured, raped, and used for pleasure by the sick minds of Hamas.

Will you please stop right now to pray for the hostages and families? Our prayers matter!