The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said on Sunday that the government’s long-standing policy of maintaining the status quo at holy sites in Jerusalem “has not changed and will not change.” The statement sought to reaffirm Israel’s commitment to existing arrangements that govern access and authority in the city, a focal point of Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Shortly afterward, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant struck a more assertive tone, pledging that Israel would “strengthen our sovereignty over Jerusalem forever,” including in the city’s eastern sector. He added that the stance would stand “despite the decisions taken against us by those who hate Israel in the world,” hinting at recent international criticism. Separately, Israel’s Channel 12, citing former foreign-ministry officials, reported that any move to formally annex parts of Gaza or expand control in Jerusalem could deepen Israel’s diplomatic isolation. The officials warned that European governments view annexation as a red line and that global pressure on Israel has yet to reach its peak.