For Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this is a defining moment in the current conflict in Gaza. He’s preparing for a much-anticipated meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump this coming Monday. This week, Netanyahu has called a series of three high-level meetings, focusing on Gaza—in one week. Recently heightened tensions have led to renewed discourse. No end in sight. Negotiations for an end to the conflict have stalled after more than 20 months of escalating warfare.
Even the Israeli military has supported a move in this direction, calling for more of a diplomatic approach to Gaza. The first is that they think they have tried everything except military force. The last of our key recommendations asks for a full and immediate ceasefire. It has resulted in the deaths of more than 56,000 Palestinians. Despite these recommendations, far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition are pushing for an intensification of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas.
In recent developments, a fresh international proposal for a 60-day ceasefire was presented to both Hamas and Israel on Tuesday. Yet negotiations for such a ceasefire have reportedly been stuck in the mud for weeks, making one wonder what suddenly changed to make progress possible. U.S. President Trump recently said that he expected a ceasefire to happen as early as next week.
“We’re looking for it to happen next week.” – US President Donald Trump
Israeli Minister of Welfare Ya’akov Margi increased this urgency by reiterating that Israel must enter negotiations. He claimed that we need to leave no stone unturned. Laying out her priorities, Margi made it clear that she stands firmly behind the release of all hostages in Gaza, saying,
“In my opinion, everything must be done to release the hostages. And we are over 600 days late. Everything must be done to bring everyone back – the living and the fallen. Not out of weakness – out of strength.” – Minister of Welfare Ya’akov Margi
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have taken control of about 60% of Gaza’s territory. This notes their considerable military footprint throughout the region. In apparent acknowledgment of the catastrophic and ongoing civilian toll, Israel has started to deploy private security forces. Their objective is to bolster security measures for humanitarian installations in Gaza.
As Netanyahu looks ahead to his meeting with Trump, he is under incredible pressure from domestic and international stakeholders. A White House official underscored the U.S. commitment to a negotiated end to the conflict, saying,
“President Trump and the administration remain committed to ending the war in Gaza and returning all of the hostages.” – White House official
Internal disputes in Israel’s beleaguered ruling coalition make things even more difficult. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in a rare move, has gotten out in front. His “solution” displays the grim hardline mindset adopted by key players in Netanyahu’s coalition.
“No agreements. No partners. No mediators. Only a clear outcome: the destruction of Hamas and the return of the hostages from a position of strength.” – Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich
Even as these dynamics play out, Netanyahu needs to tread very carefully on what comes next. Even as our military advisors are arguing for a diplomatic solution, the far-right politicians have demanded that we up our military response. This leaves him at a potentially explosive turning point.
