This article explores Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial decisions during the Gaza war, highlighting how his pursuit of power influenced the potential for peace amidst escalating violence.
How Netanyahu Manipulated Conflict Dynamics in Gaza for Political Survival

How Netanyahu Manipulated Conflict Dynamics in Gaza for Political Survival
An investigation into the political strategies employed by Israel's Prime Minister amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
As the war entered its sixth month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu found himself at a pivotal moment. In early April 2024, discussions for an extended cease-fire with Hamas were underway, and Netanyahu was poised to present a compromise plan to his cabinet—a plan intentionally kept off the official agenda to prevent pushback from dissenting ministers.
This proposal intended to halt the intense conflict for at least six weeks, thereby allowing for negotiations to secure a lasting peace and the release of over 30 hostages taken during the war. Importantly, a truce could have halted the devastation in Gaza, home to nearly two million residents enduring relentless attacks. Moreover, peace with Hamas could have opened doors for historic diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, potentially cementing Netanyahu's legacy.
However, the prospect of a cease-fire posed significant dangers for Netanyahu personally. He was leading a tenuous coalition government dependent on far-right ministers advocating for a prolonged military campaign aimed at re-establishing settlements in Gaza. A premature cease-fire could trigger the collapse of his government, risking early elections that, according to polls, he might lose. With his corruption trial ongoing, losing power would severely constrain his ability to navigate legal challenges against him.
As he prepared to unveil the new negotiation stance, Netanyahu was interrupted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a staunch advocate for expanding Israeli settlements. Smotrich's alarming declaration—that if a surrender agreement was proposed, Netanyahu's government would effectively be over—underlined the volatile dynamics at play. Faced with intense pressure, the Prime Minister grappled with the implications of his leadership choices amid an increasingly complex and dangerous landscape.