Israel would consider another Gaza ceasefire to get back hostages

The ceasefire came to end, Israel said, when Hamas reneged on an agreement to return all women and children. Hamas, which is classified as a terror group by the US and European Union, still holds 20 women, two boys and 115 men, Israel has said. It’s unclear if all of them are alive.

Qatar – which helped broker the last halt to fighting – said it’s working to secure a fresh pause. That shouldn’t be seen as a “an alternative to a permanent ceasefire,” Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said in Doha.

Netanyahu’s corruption trial resumes in midst of Israel-Gaza war

Levy also defended Israel’s record in protecting civilians, as criticism mounts over its air strikes and ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, in which almost 16,000 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

The military is giving advance warnings of strikes, conceding the element of surprise, he said.

“It’s upsetting that our attempts to protect civilians are mocked or discarded,” he said. “We would like to seek greater appreciation for the efforts Israel is making to protect civilians.”

While the Israeli air force continues to play a key role in the war as the military moves its focus to the south of Gaza, the next phase of the conflict will be characterised by “close-quarter fighting” with Hamas battalions, he said.

Levy appeared to confirm government plans that Hamas leaders would be targeted for assassination wherever they are, including in Qatar and Turkey.

“Every Hamas terrorist is a dead man walking,” Levy said.

“We will go to the ends of the Earth to bring to justice people who want to perpetrate genocidal violence against the Jewish people.”