According to Haaretz, all signs point to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not willing to risk sacrificing his far-right coalition for a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The newspaper detailed that the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, William J. Burns, is heading to Cairo in an attempt to push forward talks regarding the release of captives held by Hamas. Despite high and nearly impossible demands from Hamas, the U.S. administration believes there is still room for negotiation, contrasting Netanyahu’s political constraints that fear concessions may affect his relationship with the extreme right-wing faction in his coalition.
As part of an intimidation tactic against Hamas, Netanyahu has ordered the military to prepare for an incursion into Rafah and the evacuation of civilians from the area, aligning with American demands. Reports also mention Egyptian tank movements in the northeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula to prevent Gaza residents from fleeing to Egypt.
Netanyahu’s intentions are clear in how his spokespersons act and pressure within his office for members of the Likud government to oppose the proposed captive deal. This has led to public figures aligning with the idea of not repatriating the captives to achieve final victory. The article highlights growing American frustration towards Netanyahu’s actions, directing stronger measures against extremist settlers in the West Bank.
The burden on Israeli soldiers is emphasized, with complaints about inadequate support during and post-service. The article questions if these circumstances will lead to broader popular protests against Netanyahu, especially after Moody’s downgraded Israel’s credit rating. Despite Netanyahu dismissing economic implications, Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman sees it as a political statement against Israel’s interests.
