As Israel unites in celebration behind the return of 4 hostages in a heroic operation, the domestic and northern fronts continue to burn. Benny Gantz, 1 of the 3 members of Israel's War Cabinet, has left the governing coalition, which is now run by Prime Minister Netanyahu and his far-right partners.

While the now smaller coalition further divides Israeli society by passing legislation that de facto exempts ultra-orthodox men from military service, the northern front is heating up more than ever. Israel assassinated a Hezbollah brigader-general, and Hezbollah responded by launching an unprecedented number of rockets at Israel and causing massive forest fires. Israelis continue to wonder if the escalation in the north will morph into a total war, and if so, whether reservists will be willing to again put their private lives aside as their ultra-orthodox brethren refuse to share the burden of service.