Israeli leaders are facing a tough decision as they vow to conduct a major military operation in Rafah against Hamas’s forces, despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel will invade Rafah with or without a cease-fire deal, as they believe Hamas’s forces are fortified in the area.
Hamas, on the other hand, is demanding that Israel withdraw all its forces from Gaza, while Israel insists on maintaining control of security in the region. This disagreement has led to a stalemate in negotiations, with both sides unwilling to back down.
The recent Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, where Palestinian gunmen overwhelmed communities and military bases near Gaza, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials. This has further fueled Israeli leaders’ determination to prevent such assaults from happening again, leading to the demolition of buildings in Gaza’s border area to create a buffer zone with Israel.
However, Mr. Netanyahu’s political calculations are complicating the government’s ability to reach an agreement. While he has expressed commitment to bringing home hostages held in Gaza, his far-right allies in the governing coalition oppose the proposed deal, calling for an immediate ground operation in Rafah.
With his coalition holding a slim majority in Israel’s parliament, any defections could jeopardize Mr. Netanyahu’s premiership and potentially lead to elections. The leader of the parliamentary opposition, Yair Lapid, has offered to support Mr. Netanyahu in passing a deal to bring hostages home, but this alliance is tenuous at best.
As tensions continue to escalate in Gaza, the future remains uncertain as Israeli leaders grapple with the complexities of the situation and the political challenges they face.
