Supreme Court to decree: Provide reasoning for the criteria to terminate the conflict
The Israeli government has been instructed by the Supreme Court to provide a detailed justification for its policy on ending the war in Gaza and releasing hostages held by terror organizations. The court's instruction, issued in response to a petition submitted by the Hostages Families' Forum, aims to allow the government's policy to "pass the public test."
The government's response is expected to address its discretion in managing the war in Gaza and is due by August 24th, 2025. However, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Yariv Levin's response does not directly address the court's instruction to justify how and to whom the government justifies its policy.
Yariv Levin's response suggests a potential disagreement with the court's involvement in the government's policy regarding the war in Gaza. He asserted that Judge Khaled Kabub does not have the authority to intervene in the Israeli government's management of the war in Gaza. Yariv Levin also stated 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 main goal of the petition is not to obligate the government to end the war, but to demand transparency in the government's policy regarding the end of the war and the release of hostages. The Hostages Families' Forum seeks clarity on the government's decision-making process and the rationale behind its actions.
The Israeli government's policy justification for ending the war and releasing hostages held by terror organizations in Gaza is framed within its broader military strategy. Prime Minister Netanyahu announced intentions to "take control" of the Gaza Strip, aiming for a full military occupation followed by handing control to unspecified "Arab forces" other than Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
This plan, however, has been widely condemned internationally for its potential to cause extensive civilian harm and violation of international law. The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the United Nations have called for an immediate end to the war and the release of hostages, emphasizing the catastrophic humanitarian consequences and the risk of war crimes.
The Supreme Court's direct role or rulings regarding war termination and hostage release are not explicitly detailed in the available documents. International courts’ rulings, such as the ICJ advisory opinion from July 2024, which obliges Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories, including Gaza, implicitly support calls for ceasefire and hostage release.
Thus, the Israeli government’s position involves ongoing military action deemed necessary by its leadership, while international legal and humanitarian frameworks press for ending the conflict and securing hostage releases, sometimes framed as obligations under international law per the ICJ advisory opinion.
References: 1. The Guardian 2. ICJ 3. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 4. Amnesty International
- The Israeli government's response to the Supreme Court's instruction to justify its policy on ending the war in Gaza and releasing hostages is expected to be a significant part of the general news and political discourse, as it will provide insight into the government's decision-making process during a time of war-and-conflicts.
- The Hostages Families' Forum's demand for transparency in the Israeli government's policy regarding the war in Gaza and hostage releases is not merely a political issue, but also a humanitarian concern, given the potential impact on the lives of the hostages and the broader implications for the region, as highlighted by international institutions such as the ICJ and the UN.
