A school of thought in Israel contends that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has prolonged the war in Gaza and resisted a ceasefire deal primarily due to concerns about the stability of his government. The fear is that agreeing to a truce or a comprehensive peace deal could lead to political fallout and the collapse of his coalition, particularly due to opposition from far-right elements within his administration. This internal political calculus has significantly influenced Netanyahu’s approach to the ongoing conflict, despite international calls for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian relief.
United States President Joe Biden has been at the forefront of efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for a truce and the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. His administration, along with Egypt and Qatar, has been mediating negotiations for more than a year, with talks intensifying recently in Doha. High-level officials, including Israel’s Mossad chief David Barnea and Biden’s Middle East adviser Brett McGurk, have been working on finalizing a phased ceasefire agreement. However, disagreements over the terms have repeatedly stalled progress. Netanyahu’s office confirmed Barnea’s involvement, signaling that any potential agreement would require his approval.
Netanyahu’s reluctance to fully commit to a ceasefire stems from various contentious issues in the negotiations. These include determining which captives would be released first, the corresponding release of Palestinian prisoners, and the extent of Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza. While Netanyahu has signaled willingness to engage in a limited ceasefire phase, Hamas insists on a complete Israeli military withdrawal from the enclave. Netanyahu remains focused on dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities, which has led to continued bombardment and an unrelenting siege on northern Gaza for over 100 days.
The human toll of the conflict has been devastating. Medical sources in Gaza report more than 5,000 people dead or missing due to the siege, while the overall death toll from Israel’s military campaign has exceeded 46,000, with most victims being women and children. Over 90 percent of Gaza’s population has been displaced. UN experts and human rights organizations have described the scale of destruction as catastrophic, with some labeling the campaign as “genocide.” The war, which followed a deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 250 hostages, has seen only one brief ceasefire in its 15-month duration.
Meanwhile, internal divisions within Israel’s government have compounded the difficulty of reaching a ceasefire. Netanyahu has faced resistance from far-right politicians, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who oppose any deal perceived as a concession. Efforts to sway these factions have so far been unsuccessful. Al Jazeera reports that blame for the stalled negotiations has been traded between Israel and Hamas, further complicating the path to peace. Despite this, mediators remain engaged in frantic attempts to finalize an agreement that could at least temporarily halt the bloodshed.
As Biden’s presidency nears its end, securing a ceasefire in Gaza remains a top priority for his administration. The hope is to achieve a breakthrough before Donald Trump assumes office, but the complexities of the conflict and Netanyahu’s political calculations make the outcome uncertain.
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