Netanyahu is bluffing – Israel will not conquer Gaza
If I had a dollar for every decision by Netanyahu and his governments that was made but never implemented, I would be a rich man. Israel will not conquer Gaza now.
I hear from people who are troubled and worried about the conquest of the Gaza Strip, the escalation of fighting, the risk to the lives of hostages and soldiers, the erosion of the reserve system, wasting billions, and many other reasons not to embark on another Gaza conquest operation now.
All the reasons not to do this are known and clear. It’s no coincidence that the new Chief of Staff also opposes it. But logic has not been the forte of Netanyahu and his circle for the past decade.
However, all of Netanyahu’s decisions must be examined not through logic, but through understanding that he and his circle operate only for Netanyahu. Not for any other entity. Certainly not for the State of Israel and Israeli citizens.
Netanyahu was driven to this decision, in my assessment, by several highly cynical reasons:
* As a tactic to show his base and swing voters “look, I’m a strong leader” against Hamas and the Arabs before he goes to elections (while signing a deal to release some of the hostages).
* To give the ultra-Orthodox a reason to return to the government and in his aspiration to temporarily get off the topic of the draft crisis.
* To remove from the headlines the Qatar investigations that embarrass him and are closing in on him.
If until a few weeks ago Netanyahu intended to go to elections, given the many casualties in Gaza and the unnecessary war with Iran that accomplished nothing and caused great damage here, Netanyahu looks at the polls and is not satisfied. So from his perspective, he’s trying to rock the boat to come out with more points. To hell with human lives.
So in my assessment, there will be no conquest of Gaza. Netanyahu is bluffing. In an extreme case, they will send a few forces to do an operational round for the 20th time in Area A or B, blow up some buildings, issue IDF spokesperson statements about “eliminating the head of the rocket array in Khan Younis,” and then see what the polls tell Netanyahu.
The hunger and distress in Gaza are real. Even Trump sees this. However, it’s difficult to expect most Israelis to express compassion and concern for the hunger and distress of Gaza residents after October 7th. This is completely understandable. Most Israelis will no longer be able to see Palestinians as partners and potential neighbors, for two states. The horizon for a peaceful solution is dead. There won’t be one. From now on, only violence. This is the fate decreed for both peoples here.
Netanyahu has not served the interest of Israeli citizens for at least 15 years. Certainly not now. Netanyahu is not worried about his trial as long as he is Prime Minister. In case he is forced to leave the position of Prime Minister which he already went through, then he has concerns that he might be convicted. Therefore, all his decisions revolve around and are directed solely toward this goal – to remain Prime Minister. Whether by completing his term and demolishing the legal system or through elections, which he wants to reach in the most optimal way from his perspective. All decisions, including conquering Gaza and endangering the hostages and our soldiers, are legitimate for his mission.
If only a majority of Israelis would see that, and if only majority of the news outlets would show it regularly, then maybe the public would go to the streets.
