SAEDNEWS: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to avoid a Gaza ceasefire, using political maneuvers and military actions that prolong the war, leaving Gaza civilians and Israeli captives in the crossfire.
According to Saed News; For nearly two years, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly shifted positions on a Gaza ceasefire, ensuring that negotiations stall and conflicts continue. From partial agreements to new conditions, Netanyahu’s maneuvers have left mediators, allies, and civilians frustrated.
In November 2023, a ceasefire deal resulted in the release of 110 captives taken during Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. Yet, Netanyahu refused to extend the ceasefire for the remaining captives. By May 2024, when Hamas agreed to a deal, Israel denied approval and launched an invasion of Rafah. Later, Netanyahu demanded permanent Israeli control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a proposal rejected by both Egypt and Hamas.
Even when allies presented proposals, Netanyahu sidestepped them. In May 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden announced Israel had offered a ceasefire plan, but Netanyahu remained silent, and no deal followed. A phased ceasefire accepted under pressure from incoming U.S. President Donald Trump in January 2025 was violated by Israel by March, resuming bombardments and blockades.
Last week, as Hamas negotiators met in Doha to discuss a new U.S.-backed proposal, Israeli airstrikes targeted the meeting, effectively sabotaging the talks. Critics argue this act highlights Netanyahu’s unwillingness to end the war and the prioritization of political goals over humanitarian concerns.
Netanyahu’s long tenure as Israel’s prime minister has been marked by his ability to juggle competing priorities. Domestic legal troubles, coalition management, and pressure from far-right allies force him to delay decisions that could weaken his political standing. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, for instance, demand a hardline stance in Gaza, threatening to exit the coalition if Netanyahu agrees to a ceasefire.
While some in Israel may support the idea of displacing Palestinians from Gaza and installing settlers, Netanyahu understands the practical limits. Conquering the entire Gaza Strip would strain military resources and could incite internal dissent among reservists. International condemnation and isolation are also significant risks.
Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza remain the ultimate victims. Over 64,800 lives have been lost, and Israeli captives continue to be held. The ongoing conflict underscores the consequences of political maneuvering that prioritizes strategy over humanitarian outcomes.
Netanyahu may continue “spinning plates,” maintaining his coalition, evading firm decisions, and prolonging negotiations until elections before October 2026. Alternatively, escalating domestic and international pressure could force him to confront the end of the war. Either scenario leaves Gaza civilians and captives in an extended state of uncertainty and suffering.
