Tamir Pardo condemns Israel’s return to war, warns hostages now face deadly consequences.
Former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo issued a scathing rebuke on Thursday, declaring Israel’s recent decision to resume war against Hamas has effectively opened the “gates of hell,” particularly endangering the 59 Israeli hostages still held captive by the terror group.
Speaking at the Meir Dagan Conference at Netanya Academic College, Pardo sharply criticized the Netanyahu government’s choice to continue military operations, highlighting its perilous consequences: “The gates of hell might have opened on the Gazans, but for sure they have opened on the 59 hostages, and there is no savior.”
Pardo emphasized that this government’s actions have dangerously compromised both human lives and national security. He went further, asserting that internal threats—specifically the controversial judicial overhaul—present a far graver danger to Israel’s democracy and Zionist foundations than even the combined military threats from external enemies such as Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Yemen’s Houthis.
At the same event, former IDF Air Force Chief Eliezer Shkedy provided insights into efforts to integrate the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community into the military. Shkedy projected a fundamental shift by 2030, stating that the IDF is already prepared to draft all eligible individuals by 2026, marking a significant cultural and operational shift within Israel’s defense forces.
Yet, overshadowing these domestic debates remains the stark reality underscored by Pardo: Israel’s resumed offensive against Hamas has placed hostages in a perilous position, with little hope of rescue, raising profound ethical and strategic questions about the government’s ongoing tactics in Gaza.
