Netanyahu's high-stakes moves between war and trial

Arab News

4 days ago

https://arab.news/bb2dn
As the Gaza conflict escalates into one of the most intense confrontations in recent memory, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands at a crucial crossroads. Facing international calls for a ceasefire, domestic political pressures and ongoing legal battles, Netanyahu's refusal to halt military operations without significant concessions reveals a calculated strategy balancing survival, security and power.
US President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to call for an end to the hostilities, reflecting the growing global impatience with the ongoing violence. Western powers and international organizations, long weary of the repeated cycles of conflict, emphasize the urgent need for peace. Yet Netanyahu remains defiant, signaling that his calculations extend far beyond immediate diplomatic approval.
Israel's traditional allies have become increasingly divided. While the US maintains support for Israel's right to self-defense, its tone has softened to urge de-escalation. Other Western countries like the UK, France and Canada have voiced criticism and are contemplating sanctions in response to Israel's continued military campaigns, while London has suspended trade talks. This shift highlights the global outrage over Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe — widespread civilian casualties, infrastructure destruction and critical shortages of food, water and medicine.
Despite international pressure, Netanyahu insists on two conditions for any ceasefire: the full disarmament of Hamas and the implementation of a controversial relocation plan for Gaza's Palestinian population. This plan, widely condemned as forced displacement, raises serious ethical and legal questions. It echoes painful histories of displacement in the region and risks escalating tensions throughout the Middle East.
Netanyahu remains defiant, signaling that his calculations extend far beyond immediate diplomatic approval
Hani Hazaimeh
At home, Netanyahu's political survival is deeply intertwined with the Gaza conflict. Facing charges of bribery and corruption, Netanyahu hopes a successful military campaign will strengthen his standing and divert attention from his legal troubles. Conversely, a premature ceasefire could weaken his position and embolden his opponents.
Israeli society remains divided. Many support Netanyahu's hard-line approach as essential to security, while others criticize the human cost and warn of long-term damage to Israel's moral character. Protests both supporting and opposing the government's policies have erupted nationwide. The urgent demand to free Israeli hostages held by Hamas adds another layer of complexity, fueling calls for continued military pressure.
The proposed relocation plan for Gaza's nearly 2 million Palestinians is the most contentious element of Netanyahu's strategy. Seen by many as a violation of international law, it recalls fears of ethnic cleansing and risks destabilizing Gaza and the broader region. Neighboring countries with large Palestinian refugee populations, including Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, could see heightened tensions and security risks if displacement occurs.
For Netanyahu, this plan aims to permanently neutralize the Hamas threat and reshape Gaza's political reality in Israel's favor. But such a move risks isolating Israel diplomatically and provoking regional backlash.
The Middle East remains a volatile landscape of fragile alliances and rivalries. Prolonged conflict or forced displacement could further destabilize the region. The international community faces a dilemma — supporting Israel's alleged right to self-defense while condemning the humanitarian consequences of its military operations.
The international community must work toward a sustainable peace that addresses the conflict's root causes
Hani Hazaimeh
Netanyahu's challenge is to maintain political strength and security credibility at home while managing growing international pressure and Gaza's humanitarian crisis. Persisting with a hard-line stance risks diplomatic isolation and regional escalation. Conversely, conceding without substantial gains could undermine his authority and legal standing.
In the coming weeks, Netanyahu's decisions will reverberate far beyond Israel's borders, shaping regional stability and the fate of millions.
Amid this political and legal chess game, the civilians of Gaza remain the most vulnerable. The international community must intensify humanitarian aid and work toward a sustainable peace that addresses the conflict's root causes, not just its symptoms.
Netanyahu's defiance highlights a broader failure — global and regional leaders' inability to forge a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Without such a solution, cycles of violence and suffering will persist, threatening any hope for lasting peace in one of the world's most volatile regions.
The world watches and waits, hoping humanity does not become the ultimate casualty in this high-stakes game.
• Hani Hazaimeh is a senior editor based in Amman. X: @hanihazaimeh