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Netanyahu gov’t will fall apart without Gaza operation: Israeli media
Without the military operation in Gaza, Netanyahu has no ability to hold the government together, Israel’s Maariv newspaper reported, citing a military source.
Maariv also quoted its source as saying that Netanyahu does not intend to stop the military operation “until the end”, in parallel with future negotiations outlined by Trump’s special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Now that Hamas has agreed to all of Netanyahu’s demands, including the return of 10 living captives, the Israeli PM is making new demands, the report said, adding that it is for that reason that the Israeli military “is seriously preparing for the fighting” and possible mobilisation of reservists by September 2.
‘Open appetite’ by Netanyahu to continue ‘expansionist policies’ in region
Tamer Qarmout, associate professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, says Israel can continue its attacks on Gaza and the blockade on urgently needed aid because it does not feel any “real threats”.
“When I say threats, [I mean] meaningful international isolation or sanctions, and because it is protected by the US veto in the UN and by a strong and powerful ally like the US,” Qarmout told Al Jazeera.
He explained that the Israeli PM’s statements about ‘Greater Israel’, which go beyond Palestine to include parts of Jordan, Syria and Egypt, and President Trump saying yesterday that the invasion of troops in Gaza City might protect the captives, are “very worrying and alarming”.
“They’re indicative of a larger project, an open appetite by Israel to really continue with its conduct, these genocidal and colonial expansionist policies in the region, and that’s the problem,” he said.
