Israel and HAMAS have agreed on a 4-day cease fire with release of hostages and prisoners.

Pressure from Biden joined with pressure from relatives of hostages to make Netanyahu agree to a temporary cease fire deal.

*The Gaza truce is a ray of hope in the darkness.* Either side could snuff it out, but perhaps pressure can keep it going.

It is good that pressure to recover hostages led to this step towards peace, and away from continued larger war crimes, but in general it is unwise for any government to prioritize the freeing of some hostages above larger issues.

When there is a war, there are always much bigger issues at stake than hostages or prisoners of war. Any country at war faces bigger issues. Some of these issues will be moral duties, while others will be vital national interests. If I were a hostage, I would as a patriot not want my government to distract itself from either of those for the side issue of ransoming hostages such as me.