Analysts and former members of the Israeli Knesset have expressed their view that the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip has an official agenda: to preserve the governing coalition and maintain Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's grip on power, while also diverting attention from the government's failures and violence.
Israeli media channels, in their continued discussions of the war's repercussions on Gaza, have focused on Netanyahu's determination to prolong the conflict. This was highlighted by Yair Golan, a former Knesset member, during an anti-government demonstration.
Golan stated, "A sincere war management cannot be in the hands of corrupt and extremist individuals whose sole aim is to perpetuate the conflict, amplify the disaster, and hide under the emergency umbrella to cover their failures and violence."
Guy Pelleg, a legal affairs correspondent for Channel 12, also criticized Netanyahu's insistence on continuing the war. He pointed out that during every meeting of the security cabinet, the stated objectives for the war on Gaza were discussed: "To end the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), destroy its military capabilities, return the abducted, and realize other goals. However, Netanyahu perceives an additional objective: to uphold his government coalition and keep holding onto power."
Pelleg added that "Netanyahu is a danger to Israel because he always prioritizes his political considerations over military ones," asserting that Netanyahu does not want to upset figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Polls show that an overwhelming majority of Israelis desire Netanyahu's resignation (French Press).
In a discussion panel on Channel 13, a man named Itzik Horn, whose son is being held by Palestinian resistance in Gaza, referred to Israeli officials' frequent talks of the ongoing pressure on Hamas. He noted that when they see no other options, the detainees become a strategic asset they must preserve.
Horn questioned the price the government, which he claimed neglected them since October 7, would be willing to pay for the release of those detained by Palestinian resistance in Gaza, asking: "What is the price of a detainee?"
Former Deputy Minister Ofer Kara vehemently opposed ending the war on Gaza "before completely annihilating Hamas," but he acknowledged, as reported by Channel 13, that the State of Israel is obligated to bring back all detainees home.
