IDF preparing plans for renewed fighting in Gaza Strip, Smotrich tells JNS

[Hol]

President Donald Trump "often used the word 'violent,' so I like that word," said Smotrich. "It will be very violent, forceful and quick."​

(Oct. 28, 2025 / JNS)
The Israel Defense Forces is preparing plans for “a renewed occupation of Gaza and the dismantling of Hamas,” Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of Jerusalem’s Security Cabinet, told JNS on Monday.

“We will be ready,” Smotrich said, speaking with JNS following a faction meeting of his Religious Zionism Party at the Knesset. “Now we have no hostages there and there are far fewer restrictions: fast, sharp, resolute,” he said.

…

Smotrich spoke as Israel counted down to a deadline set by Trump for Hamas to return the remaining 13 bodies of slain Israeli hostages they have failed to return under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.

On Tuesday, Smotrich called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately freeze the deal amid reports that Hamas had not returned the body of the 16th slain hostage as it committed to, instead substituting remains that belonged to a previously released captive.

https://www.jns.org/idf-preparing-plans-for-renewed-fighting-in-gaza-strip-smotrich-tells-jns/

 

[Andy C]

I do believe the peace deal will eventually hold for a time, but not likely until Hamas gets a reminder of just how strong the IDF can be. Its a game of wack a mole in killing the Hamas terrorists. You cant kill a hateful ideology but the IDF can sure cause them to rethink life choices.

 

[Spartan Sprinter]

There's an article in the news today that the religious Haredi Jews are marching in protest against being conscripted .

With conscription in general , isn't it a jailable offense if you refuse to join up ?

 

[Hol]

Massive Ultra-Orthodox Rally In Israel Protests Arrest Of Draft Dodgers​

Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis, known as the Haredim, gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday for a mass rally against the arrests of yeshiva students accused of evading military service.

The rally is described by Israeli media as a ‘rare show of unity’ between the divided Haredi factions, who are often in opposition regarding politics and state relations. The demonstration, named "Cry of the Torah," was endorsed by nearly all ultra-Orthodox leaders, who instructed followers to attend and maintain order.

Massive Ultra-Orthodox Rally In Israel Protests Arrest Of Draft Dodgers | ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

 

[Spartan Sprinter]

Massive Ultra-Orthodox Rally In Israel Protests Arrest Of Draft Dodgers​

Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis, known as the Haredim, gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday for a mass rally against the arrests of yeshiva students accused of evading military service.

The rally is described by Israeli media as a ‘rare show of unity’ between the divided Haredi factions, who are often in opposition regarding politics and state relations. The demonstration, named "Cry of the Torah," was endorsed by nearly all ultra-Orthodox leaders, who instructed followers to attend and maintain order.

Massive Ultra-Orthodox Rally In Israel Protests Arrest Of Draft Dodgers | ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

These people only have their own interests at heart just like their descendents the pharisees.

Lol before i put my foot in my mouth here in relation to using the torah as justification to refuse conscription but were the levites exempt from going to war in OT times ?

 

[Tall Timbers]

These people only have their own interests at heart just like their descendents the pharisees.

Lol before i put my foot in my mouth here in relation to using the torah as justification to refuse conscription but were the levites exempt from going to war in OT times ?

Levites didn't participate in the wars. See Numbers 1

 

[Hol]

Levites didn't participate in the wars. See Numbers 1

I’m in the book of Joshua these days. As the children of Israel were about to cross over the river Jordan, the priests went first. In the battle of Jericho, Joshua 6, I noticed the prominence of the priests.

Here are a couple of observations from Enduring Word commentary: “The ark would be prominent in this victory, even as it was in the crossing of the Jordan River. Israel had to keep their hearts and minds on the LORD who was present with them, instead of putting their hearts and minds on the difficulty of the task in front of them,” and “Circling the city walls of Jericho over seven days as God commanded would speak to the priests: “This isn’t a normal battle; here, the ark will be prominent, and you will carry it. You will need to trust the LORD, even as you did in the crossing of the Jordan River.”

On the 7th day, after the 7th time marching around Jericho, I was asking myself if the priests were again more toward the front lines than most of the soldiers? Here’s verse 9: “The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding.”

To me it sounds like the Levites were sandwiched between armed fighters and rear guard fighters.

Maybe the Levites of old had a critical role in some wars/challenges that God was leading Israel through and today’s Haredim are ?