The opportunity for a new Middle East

(JNS) — On Saturday, as Sagui Dekel-Chen, his face marked by suffering, buried it in the blonde hair of his wife—whispering the name of their new daughter, Shahar-Mazal, born as he languished in captivity—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shattered a long-standing stereotype. For years, he had been accused of prioritizing war over the lives of hostages. But in a decisive move, he chose the hostages.

This time, Netanyahu had not only the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump to resume a full-scale war against Hamas but also his active encouragement. After Hamas violated the terms of th...