section_path: Reactions/Israel/Government and Politicians
section_name: Government and Politicians
paragraph_text: Government and Politicians
  
  Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said that Israel has "returned to fighting in Gaza". He further stated that if Hamas did not release all held captives in Palestinian territory, that Israel would open the "gates of hell" on Gaza, and would discharge forces that Hamas "have never known before". Israel indefinitely shut down the Rafah Border Crossing during the attacks.
  
  Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu 's office released a statement on X, claiming that Hamas persistently refused to release Israeli hostages kidnapped during the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel while rejecting all proposals offered by mediators and United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
  
  Foreign Minister of Israel Gideon Sa'ar stated that Israel was given "no choice" but to break the ceasefire agreement due to stalling negotiations and the cessation of hostage returns by Hamas in the two and a half weeks prior to the attacks. He described the situation as a "deadlock" where "nothing would move" without further action. He also stated that the military operation initiated by the strikes would not be limited to a single day.