‘Incredibly unpopular’ Netanyahu poised to prolong Gaza war to maintain government: Analyst
The Israeli prime minister’s calculations remain as they were before as he drags on the fighting and killing in Gaza, says Dan Perry, Israeli affairs analyst and the former regional editor of the Associated Press news agency in the Middle East.
“Netanyahu has clearly decided that he can’t let his government fall, which it probably would if he ends the war, even in exchange for the hostages,” Perry told Al Jazeera from Tel Aviv.
“Israel walked away from the deal it signed under pressure from the US in January, which would have ended the war,” he said, adding that Hamas does not wish to lay down its arms under any circumstances, either.
“It really looks like Netanyahu is willing to prolong the war, even though the vast majority of Israeli public would like the war to end and get back the hostages while they also wish Hamas was gone,” Perry added.
The analyst noted that the government is incredibly unpopular and walking a tightrope. On the one hand, the far-right would bring down the government if the war ended. “On the other hand, if they plough on like this, polls show they would lose the next election. So Netanyahu is essentially between a rock and a hard place,” Perry said.
Israeli military greenlights plans to continue Gaza attacks
The Israeli military has signalled its intent to maintain intense attacks on Gaza, especially its northern parts.
Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir earlier today visited the battered Shujayea neighbourhood in the northern part of the enclave, according to a statement and footage released by the army. He was accompanied by the head of the division leading the devastating ground assault on the region.
“The Chief of Staff approved the operational plans for the continuation of the fighting both defensively and offensively,” the military said in a statement.
Rescuers check the site of Israeli bombardment on a residential building in Gaza City’s Shujayea neighbourhood while smoke from another strike billows in the background
Netanyahu visits soldiers in northern Gaza
The Israeli prime minister has visited Israeli troops in the northern Gaza Strip, according to his office. We reported earlier how army chief Eyal Zamir was also in the north of the enclave, planning more attacks with top commanders from the besieged Shujayea neighbourhood of Gaza City.
The top Israeli officials are pushing ahead with devastating attacks on the enclave as they demand Hamas disarm in exchange for a limited ceasefire that would release Israeli captives as well.
