We are handcuffed Israel In their struggle to destroy terrorism and save freedom in the Middle East and America? That's what the riff is about.

The release of hostages is always a wonderful and joyful event.

Israeli and American families have suffered as much as their children, spouses, and soldiers have been captured in the hell of Hamas over the past 15 months. So let's start there and be thankful for it.

Let us hope that the release of 33 hostages will actually take place. Unfortunately, this number was around 250 15 months ago. Several American hostages are expected to be released in Phase I.

Three people are still believed to be alive and four are believed to be dead. The evil, barbaric Hamas terrorists have already killed others – this is a hate crime against humanity.

This leads to the second point, which is: How good of a deal is this? I don't know all the details. Maybe no one knows all the details, but this is basically the deal Joe Biden wanted last May.

PRODUCER PRICES IN THE USA INCREASED ON AVERAGE IN DECEMBER

President-elect Trump has certainly brought Hamas to the negotiating table by implementing his promise of “hell will break loose” if Hamas does not release the hostages.

Even Joe Biden's State Department said Mr. Trump's involvement was “absolutely critical,” but as former Amb. David Friedman and others have noted that the war in the Middle East is far from over.

According to reports, Israeli troops will be allowed to stay in the Philadelphia Corridor, which separates Egypt and Gaza, for at least six weeks, but then they are expected to leave, and phase II of the deal will take effect. complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and some kind of “permanent” ceasefire.

Meanwhile, at least 1,000 Palestinians, including 200 who killed Israelis, will be released from Israeli prisons. Well, won't they go straight to Gaza and resume their violent jihad against Israel and America?

Despite all this, numerous reports suggest that Hamas is regrouping, recruiting and re-energizing. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces, but his brother Muhammad Sinwar became the new leader as well.

So if – and this is a big one – the hostages are released in two stages and Israeli troops are given a mandate to leave Gaza and 1,000 Palestinian prisoners are released from Israeli jails and Hamas rebuilds itself… How can that really happen? good deal?

President Trump is hailing the deal as an “epic cease-fire deal,” and certainly he and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, should be given the benefit of the doubt and certainly given credit for the release of the hostages.

Perhaps there are many behind-the-scenes details we don't know about. Maybe Saudi Arabia agreed President Trump Joining the Abrahamic Accords. Perhaps Mr. Trump will give Israel the green light to bomb Iran's nuclear facility.

GET THE FOX BUSINESS BY CLICKING HERE

Perhaps the IDF is still intent on destroying Hamas completely – incoming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified yesterday that he supports killing every last member of Hamas.

Incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz echoed that this morning. Incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified today that there will never be a ceasefire if Hamas is there. Maybe, maybe, but as we know think We know that Hamas will remain in power in Gaza and that Israel's military presence in Gaza will end. it's not good.

I always thought that we would let the Israeli army against everyone Middle East terrorists and that we will all be grateful to Israel not only for saving freedom in Israel and the Middle East, but frankly for saving all of Western freedom and our Judeo-Christian culture, thereby saving America, but for putting the shackles back on. The IDF will stop them from destroying terrorism and the higher mission of saving freedom in Israel, the Middle East and America.

That's what worries me.

This article is adapted from Larry Kudlow's opening remarks in the January 15, 2025, edition of Kudlow.