Israeli officials are reportedly increasingly pessimistic over the likelihood of reaching a hostage and truce deal before Ramadan.
According to similar comments from unnamed officials cited in several Hebrew media reports — generally indicating a coordinated leak — officials now believe that Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar has no intention of agreeing to a temporary ceasefire in the coming days.
Instead, the officials say, Israel believes Sinwar wants to escalate the violence further over Ramadan.
In such a scenario, Israel is wary of an escalation not just along its borders with Gaza and Lebanon, but also across the West Bank, where tensions are high, as well as in Jerusalem, where clashes over the Temple Mount and access to the holy site are widely expected.
Ramadan is expected to begin next Sunday evening.
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