Israel’s top court demands the government explain its Gaza war and hostage-return policy, sparking a fierce clash with Justice Minister Yariv Levin.
In a move that could ignite a major constitutional showdown, the Israeli Supreme Court on Sunday ordered the government to deliver a detailed and focused justification for its policy on ending the Gaza war and securing the release of hostages held by terror groups.
The order came in response to a petition by the Hostages Families’ Forum, which emphasized that it was not demanding the government agree to end the war — but that it “pass the public test” by clearly explaining its strategy.
Justice Khaled Kabub ruled that the government’s submission must address to whom and how it is accountable in setting the conditions for ending the fighting and negotiating the release of captives. The deadline for the government’s response is August 24, 2025.
The ruling has already triggered political fireworks. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin launched a scathing attack on the court’s intervention:
“By what authority, and by what right, Judge Khaled Kabub, do you seek to intervene in the Israeli government’s discretion in managing the war in Gaza? This is not your authority! Those who do not respect the law and the powers of the government should not expect to be respected or have their decisions honored.”
The directive puts unprecedented legal pressure on the government to publicly define its war objectives and hostage recovery strategy — an issue that has sharply divided Israeli politics, the security establishment, and public opinion since October 7.
Observers warn that the court’s demand could set the stage for a high-stakes confrontation between the judiciary and the executive, with implications for both Israel’s war strategy and its constitutional balance of power.
