'Terrible and beautiful at the same time,' says brother of murdered Israeli of hostage release deal with Hamas

Hillel Fuld is a global speaker and educator. His brother Ari was fatally stabbed by a Palestinian terrorist in 2018.

The current ceasefire deal between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization is bittersweet for Israelis. Approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners are due to be released in return for just 33 Israeli and international hostages, eight of whom Hamas has said are already deceased.

“It’s a very complex situation,” Fuld admitted in an interview with Christian journalist Paul Calvert. “You know, on the one hand, seeing them reunited with their families has been extremely emotional and very touching. But on the other hand, releasing these monsters is a terrible, terrible thing.”

Fuld told Calvert that the release of prisoners from Israeli jails in the upcoming deal is emotionally difficult: "Well, my brother's murderer terrorist is being released in this deal. So that's a...you know... a punch to the gut.”

Ari Fuld was the eldest of five brothers, with Hillel just below him in the lineup. Ari “fought for Israel his entire life,” both “online and offline,” Fuld said. That fight extended to the day Ari died.

“He was a real warrior,” said his brother. “In his last breath, he saved a woman who his terrorist was chasing after. He already stabbed my brother. My brother then was able to chase him down and shoot him. And then my brother collapsed and died.”

“He saved this woman in his last breath,” he added.

When asked how he felt about the murderer being out on the streets, Fuld replied, “It’s a terrible feeling, terrible feeling. But, you know, I feel like Israel has to bring its people back. I think that our people need to know that if, God forbid, something like this happens, that we’ll pay whatever price we need to pay to bring them back.

“And so we need to bring them back, and then we need to figure out what we do next. But for now, we’ve got to bring our hostages home.”

“It’s definitely both terrible and beautiful at the same time.”

Calvert asked whether Fuld was shocked to see the condition of the recently released male hostages, particularly on Feb. 15, who appeared gaunt and traumatized.

“On the one hand, it’s terrible and devastating,” Fuld replied. “On the other hand, I know what we’re dealing with here. In fact, I would say I was more shocked that the other hostages got out and were able to walk on two feet because I thought Hamas would absolutely not let them even survive.”

“And if they would let them survive,” he continued, “absolutely not leave them in a medical condition that would enable them to walk on two feet. So I was more surprised by that if I’m being totally honest.”

“But, you know, just seeing those hostages come out looking like actual Holocaust survivors is dreadful and just devastating,” he added.

When asked whether he thought the deal with Hamas will lead to more terror attacks, Fuld confirmed that “sadly, historically it has been the case” that the release of convicted terrorists from Israeli jails – for example, 1,000 Palestinian prisoners released in return for Gilad Shalit in 2011 – will inevitably lead to future terror attacks against the Israeli civilian population.

“I’m sure Israel is taking all the precautions they can,” he said, “but I don’t think anyone has any doubt that these people are going back to terror.”

Calvert asked whether such deals also provide the Iranian proxy groups, like Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, with a greater incentive to kidnap more Israelis, soldiers or civilians.

Fuld said the terrorists are already trying to perpetrate attacks or kidnappings, “so Israel has to do its part to defend its citizens. And, you know, obviously, we’re taking any precautions that we can, but there’s no question that they’re going to try.”

Fuld said that Israel faces thousands of security alerts every month. “I mean, it’s endless,” he said. “It’s quite literally endless.”

Calvert suggested that if Israel is not continually seeing bombing attacks or other terrorism all of the time, it’s a testament to the success of the security forces.

“I think that we’re constantly seizing weapons,” Fuld explained, “and finding drones coming from all directions to try to bring arms and weapons to the Palestinians, both in Gaza and in Judea and Samaria (West Bank).

“And Israel has to be on alert 24/7 because if we put down our guard, that’s when October 7 happens.”

Fuld said the scale of the dilemma for the Israeli government is enormous, considering the high price of the current deal.

“Terrible price, terrible price. I’m just very thankful I’m not in Netanyahu’s shoes to have to make such a decision.”

“I think it’s pretty clear that with Trump, he would have gotten a better deal,” Fuld suggested, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, who entered office in January. “Biden obviously pushed for unfavorable terms of this deal. But again, this was what was on the table. And I don’t think Netanyahu had a choice.”

Fuld said he hopes that Israel is able to have all the hostages returned from Gaza but cautioned that Israel is dealing with terrorists, with a radically different mindset.

“We’re dealing with some seriously barbaric, you know, real sick individuals, that are heavily indoctrinated to hate every Jew. And so, I don’t know exactly what their incentive would be to give them all back because that’s their only negotiating card.”

“But, you know, I do obviously hope and pray that we get them all back,” he added.

Regarding Trump's handling of the situation so far, Fuld believes the U.S. president is working with “total moral clarity.”

“It’s very refreshing,” he said, “after dealing with the previous administration that was clearly extremely morally confused at best and morally bankrupt at worst…”

“And Trump is doing the best he can. I think what he’s done in just a couple of weeks is infinitely more than Biden did in four years.”

 “…I think Hamas understands that they’re messing with the wrong president,” Fuld added.

Regarding Trump’s latest proposal for the U.S. to take control of Gaza after the war, Fuld commented,

“I think if anybody else would have suggested it, then I would have probably laughed. But Trump – Trump has been known to make big declarations. And he usually follows through on those declarations.”

“So, you know, I do think that he’s not going to let Hamas get away with this anymore. I think he [has] had enough.”

As for Palestinians leaving the Gaza Strip, Fuld expressed his deep understanding of the tragic situation.

The society is “deeply indoctrinated,” having elected Hamas in 2007, and with the latest data showing 70-80% of Gazans expressing support for the atrocities of Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, Fuld said.

“As a rational, logical, moral person, I have to believe that somewhere deep down, these people understand that they have the opportunity to live a better life. I do know that they’re heavily indoctrinated from age zero.”

“So, it’s not so simple,” he conceded. “While you and I might behave in a moral and in a logical way when given such an opportunity, these people are not guided [by our morality], and they don’t operate based on logic.”

“And the irony of it is that, for years and years they’ve been calling themselves ‘refugees’ and saying that Gaza is an ‘open-air prison.’ And now they’re getting the opportunity to leave and to settle in a better place. And they’re complaining about it, which is crazy.”

Click below to listen to the full interview, including Fuld’s take on the world’s response to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre in southern Israel.

Follow Hillel Fuld on 𝕏 at HilzFuld.

Learn more about Ari Fuld here.