On Sparta – Amos Harel in Haaretz:

‘There's a clear, straight line between all of Netanyahu's recent pronouncements and decisions: rejecting the American proposals for a new hostage deal; the bombardment in Qatar, which enabled the emirate to organize a show of regional support and shock, with the participation of Iran and its Sunni neighbors (most of which are actually hostile to it); the insistence on entering Gaza City despite the opposition of most of the heads of the defense establishment – as well as Monday's crazy speech in which he announced that he would turn Israel into a super Sparta that would establish a self-sufficient economy in Israel in light of Europe's growing animosity.
Netanyahu has long ceased to show interest in the fate of the hostages. His remarks contain no show of sentiment toward them, but rather just declarations devoid of content and a determined decision to pursue an endless war, because stopping it would endanger his continued political survival.’

(…)

‘Trump has again threatened Hamas with hell to pay if it murders hostages, but as a practical matter, they're empty threats by a man who isn't holding a real stick toward the terrorist leaders who have been hiding for almost two years in tunnels. Netanyahu isn't even bothering to threaten. The killing of hostages by Hamas would actually hand him an excuse to expand the military operation and, like his coalition partners on the messianic right, aspire toward the complete occupation of the Gaza Strip and the expulsion of its population. That's also what he's hearing among his own family, which is a source of major worry for senior members of the defense establishment.
Officials in the army are also bothered by the losses among the troops, and it's rather clear that there will soon be major killings of Palestinian civilians, an issue that is barely being addressed in Israel's public discourse but is prompting understandable rage toward Israel around the world.’

(…)

‘The man who's leading Israel into a deepening war in the Strip – amid slim chances of victory – is a failed, isolated and hounded leader who is determined to hold onto power by all means.’

Read the article here.

Holding onto power by all means, in other words, a man on a suicidal mission.

The rage toward Israel is not only understandable, it’s also exactly what the Messianic leaders in Israel want.

Sparta lasted about 1000 years; we will see how long the new Sparta will last.