When a nation shows weakness, its enemies seize the opportunity to strike. We are in mourning, consumed by the return of our beloved hostages. The media is flooded with stories of loss, grief, and suffering. But amid this national heartbreak, we have lost sight of the most crucial objective: the absolute destruction of the enemy that targets our most vulnerable—our mothers and children.
This is not just an enemy; it is a monstrous force that bombs our civilians indiscriminately, blows up buses, kidnaps, rapes, tortures, and murders without remorse. And yet, instead of focusing on victory, our leadership and media fixate solely on hostage negotiations—while murderers are being released back onto our streets. There is no serious discussion of winning this war, only retreat, compromise, and demoralization.
We have not decisively won a war since 1967, and we must win this one. Every military gain in Gaza and southern Lebanon is being reversed by these disastrous ceasefire deals. Hezbollah is once again entrenched at our northern border. Residents cannot return to their homes because the threat has not been eliminated. In the south, Hamas survives—and in survival, they win. They see our weakness, they see our willingness to negotiate, and they celebrate. They have learned that hostage-taking brings Israel to its knees, and they will do it again—not just here, but in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and London. Because we have not destroyed them.
Our own government continues to send fuel and supplies into Gaza—feeding and enabling the very terrorists who seek our destruction. And now, the bombings of buses are returning. By sheer divine intervention, recent attacks were thwarted. But how long can we expect Hashem to protect us when we refuse to protect ourselves? When we broadcast our suffering instead of our strength? When we make a chilul Hashem by appearing weak, rather than striking fear into those who seek our annihilation?
This is the moment to embolden our people, not to demoralize them with endless images of our dead. There will be time to mourn later. Right now, we must win. Eradicate the enemy—or be eradicated.
To the families of our kidnapped and fallen, my heart is with you. But the greatest honor we can give them is to ensure that no more innocent lives are stolen. Victory is not an option—it is an imperative.
