Netanyahus stance on Gaza ceasefire raises questions about his intentions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Returns Home from US Trip in Strong Position

Benjamin Netanyahu has concluded his latest visit to the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump on Monday. The meeting was described as positive by Trump, who referred to Netanyahu as a “hero” and stated that Israel had “lived up to the plan 100 percent.” This refers to the US-administered ceasefire agreement reached in October, which aimed to reduce tensions in Gaza.

Under the terms of the agreement, Gaza would move towards phase two, involving negotiations on establishing a technocratic board of peace and deploying an international security force. However, Netanyahu has not allowed all required aid into Gaza and maintains that phase two cannot be entered until Hamas returns the body of the last remaining captive.

Netanyahu’s coalition is considered one of the most right-wing in Israel’s history, and many of its members oppose the ceasefire. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have expressed concerns about the release of Palestinian prisoners and the occupation of Gaza. Defense Minister Israel Katz has also shown little enthusiasm for honoring the deal.

The deployment of an international security force to Gaza would limit Israel’s operational freedom, constraining its military’s ability to re-enter Gaza or conduct targeted strikes. Netanyahu’s government has already killed more than 400 people in Gaza since agreeing to halt fighting on October 10.

Netanyahu’s decision not to allow all required aid into Gaza and his insistence that phase two cannot be entered until Hamas returns the body of the last remaining captive may be driven by several factors, including a desire to maintain control over the situation.

Source: Al Jazeera