Timely tough talk

Israel has never negotiated for hostages.  Israeli operatives have always known that, if they fall into Arab hands, they're on their own.  But apparently the atrocities visited on Thomas Tucker and Kristian Menchaca decided the Israelis that this type of stuff is not going to happen on their watch.  How else to explain this type of talk:

Israel will work to ensure the Hamas-led government falls if a soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants is not released alive, a high-ranking security official said.

"We will make sure that the Hamas government ceases to operate if the kidnapped soldier is not returned to us alive," the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

As every parent knows, never make a threat you don't intend to act upon.  I hope Israel means what it says.