Former Israeli leader recounts internal pressure to extend Gaza operation and its political fallout

Former Israeli leader recounts internal pressure to extend Gaza operation and its political fallout The passage provides a first‑person account linking former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to decisions that prolonged a Gaza military operation for political gain. It offers specific dates (January 17) and suggests a motive (boosting Livni’s electoral profile), which could be pursued for corroboration, but it lacks concrete evidence of wrongdoing, financial transactions, or new classified information. Key insights: Olmert allegedly pushed to extend the Gaza ground incursion beyond the original plan.; The extension is portrayed as a political move to enhance Tzipi Livni’s image ahead of elections.; A cease‑fire was announced on January 17, three weeks after the operation began.