Israel’s ‘forever war’ stretches IDF to the limit

For now, we still have the mediation proposal that would extend the ceasefire and lead to the release of five living hostages in exchange for a significant number of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons,

a spokeswoman said

This morning, the moment we realised that we were going back to war, the first thing I thought about was: what about the hostages? This is a death sentence for the hostages, and it's simply terrible,

said Muriel Aranov, a 62-year-old pensioner living in Tel Aviv

Amos Harelsenior security analyst

For the first time [since the start of the war] there may be a chance some reservists won’t report for duty,

said Amos Harel, the defence analyst for newspaper Haaretz and author of a book on civil-military relations

We are at an impasse, we have said 'yes' more than once to concrete proposals from the US special envoy to extend the ceasefire, and Hamas has said 'no',

foreign ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said in a briefing

Hamas bears total responsibility... for the resumption of hostilities."

A State Department spokesman said

The Secretary-General strongly condemns all attacks on UN personnel and calls for a full investigation,

Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq stated

Annalena Baerbockforeign Minister

The images of burning tents in refugee camps are shocking. Fleeing children and internally displaced persons must never be used as leverage in negotiations,

said Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

Benjamin Netanyahuprime minister

Hamas has already felt the strength of our arm in the past 24 hours. And I want to promise you — and them — this is only the beginning."

In a video statement on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu said

We hold Israel and its leadership fully responsible for the consequences of the ground invasion into central Gaza, which constitutes a new and dangerous violation of the ceasefire agreement,

the terrorists wrote

Today I felt that Gaza is a real hell,

said Jihan Nahhal, a 43-year-old woman from Gaza City,

Bezalel Smotrichright Finance Minister

We've heard enough from you!"

During a parliamentary committee meeting, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the removal of a relative of a hostage who had died in captivity, saying

Military pressure is essential for the release of additional hostages."

The Israel

Hamas cannot be defeated" while there are captives in Gaza "unless the government consciously decided to give up the lives of our children

said Michel Illouz, father of Guy Illouz who was abducted and murdered on 7 October

Now it becomes clear — the public officials did not meet with them because they were planning the explosion of the ceasefire, which could sacrifice their family members,

the group said

2025 will be a year of war.”

Earlier this month he said

From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increased military intensity,

he added

Our homes are right there and I’m not going to leave my guys,

he said

The blockade of Gaza, the starvation of its population, and the ongoing war of extermination require immediate intervention to prevent further catastrophe and lift the blockade,

he said