Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which has been ongoing for nearly six months, is also coinciding with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s prolonged term in office. This has led some in Israel to question if there is a connection between the two.
Supporters of Mr. Netanyahu argue that his refusal to agree to a cease-fire in Gaza is necessary for the country’s national interest and is supported by many Israelis. They believe that weakening Hamas is crucial before entering into cease-fire negotiations.
Critics, on the other hand, suggest that the prime minister is prolonging the war to prevent his fragile right-wing coalition from collapsing and to extend his time in power. They argue that he is disregarding global outrage over the violence and the increasing demands from families of Israeli hostages for their immediate release.
As the longest-serving prime minister of Israel, Mr. Netanyahu has been characterized as someone who delays decisions in order to keep all options open for as long as possible.
The stakes are high in this conflict, with over 32,000 people killed in Gaza since the war began in response to a Hamas-led raid on Israel. Experts warn of a looming famine and Israel has faced accusations of pursuing a genocide in Gaza, which it denies.
The international community was alarmed by an Israeli strike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza, leading President Biden to threaten to condition future support for Israel on addressing American concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis.
Mr. Netanyahu’s decision to continue the conflict has also sparked debate about the impact on Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Calls for a hostage deal and cease-fire are growing in Israel, even if it means giving Hamas greater leverage.
His allies argue that a strong position on the battlefield gives Israel an advantage during hostage negotiations.
… (content continues)
Source link
