Court to outline rationale for ending military conflict
The Israeli government is facing increasing pressure to justify its policy regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as a petition from the Hostages Families' Forum demands a detailed explanation to "pass the public test." This petition comes in response to the Israeli Supreme Court's instruction for the government to submit a focused response regarding its policy on ending the war and releasing hostages held by terror organizations in Gaza.
Judge Khaled Kabub has ruled that the government's response must address the question of how and to whom it must justify its discretion in setting conditions for ending the fighting and releasing hostages. This ruling was made in response to the petition submitted by the Hostages Families' Forum.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Yariv Levin has responded to this ruling, questioning the authority of Judge Khaled Kabub to intervene in the Israeli government's discretion in managing the war in Gaza. However, Yariv Levin has also warned that those who do not respect the law and the government's powers should not expect to be respected or have their decisions honored.
The Israeli government's policy regarding the end of the war and the release of hostages in Gaza remains firm. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right cabinet members emphasize that ending the war without Hamas' elimination would strengthen Hamas and delay hostage release. Netanyahu stated such calls for an end to the war benefit Hamas, harden its position, and risk ongoing conflict.
Historically, a ceasefire and hostages-and-prisoners exchange following the 2024 Gaza war was negotiated with multiple stages, including a six-week ceasefire, release of Israelis held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians held by Israel, an end to the war, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and reconstruction plans. The proposal, initially mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, was accepted by Hamas in May 2024 and supported by the UN Security Council. Israel signed a variation of this agreement in January 2025, but later showed reluctance to fully implement parts such as withdrawal from the Philadelphi corridor.
Currently, there is domestic opposition within Israel to any ceasefire deal that would leave Hamas in power. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir equate ceasefire talks or protests calling for ending the war with weakening Israel and strengthening Hamas.
Furthermore, Hamas and allied groups reportedly keep hostages alive for potential prisoner exchanges, with recent reports indicating they may move hostages to Gaza City to deter Israeli Defense Forces offensives.
In sum, while past ceasefire efforts centered on prisoner exchanges and staged conflict de-escalation, the prevailing Israeli government stance as of August 2025 is to continue military pressure until Hamas is eliminated, viewing premature ceasefires as counterproductive to hostage release and national security. The Israeli government has been instructed to submit a response regarding its policy on ending the war and releasing hostages by August 24th, 2025.
Politics and war-and-conflicts have recently intertwined with general news in Israel, as the Israeli government faces pressure to justify its policy regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This is following a petition from the Hostages Families' Forum demanding a detailed explanation to "pass the public test." The petition comes in response to the Israeli Supreme Court's instruction for the government to submit a focused response regarding its policy on ending the war and releasing hostages held by terror organizations in Gaza.
