Israel on ‘path to permanent war’, warns mediator as truce ends

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Israel is on a “path to permanent war”, experts told media as fighting in Gaza resumed on Friday after a week-long pause.

The temporary truce expired on Friday morning, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Palestinian militant group Hamas had not agreed to release further hostages and fired rockets into Israel.

Hamas said an offer to release more hostages was rejected by Israel.

Israel has vowed to “crush” Hamas for its attack on October 7. But some fear that this objective cannot be achieved militarily, and that this would prolong the war indefinitely.

“We’re on the path of a permanent war, with a zero-sum ending to this,” said Daniel Levy, a former negotiator and founder of US/Middle East Project.

The consequences of pushing forward in the long term are stark, he added.

“Either Palestinians are displaced, or Israel is forced into major concessions, or Israelis begin to leave because it just becomes so unbearable,” Mr Levy told media.

After the latest war began on October 7, Israel has also engaged in skirmishes with Iran-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon on its northern border – which could flare up at any time.

Settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and tensions in Jerusalem could further escalate.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has been embattled over the security failures of October 7. He and his government were operating with the awareness that they’re “politically finished once the war is over” said Mr Levy.

“They see their choices mostly as how do they keep militarily pushing on.”