Every day, Netanyahu secludes himself, meticulously deconstructing and reconstructing the operational and political landscape of the Gaza conflict, with the finesse of a “seasoned” leader adept at turning crises into personal triumphs, cementing his legacy as Israel’s longest-serving leader, surpassing even the historic Ben Gurion. Netanyahu navigates the intricate crisis in Gaza guided by this doctrine, even amidst the monumental calamity of October 7 and its devastating human toll. He has thus far defied the steadfast protocols adhered to by his predecessors, notably avoiding prolonged conflicts and the perilous gamble with the fate of Israeli hostages, significant number of whom are military members.
It is no secret that Netanyahu himself is the main reason behind the failure of all ceasefire negotiations, whether temporary or permanent, despite the release of detained Israelis being a central topic. He has deftly navigated the sensitivity of this issue within Israel, facing public pressure with uncommon patience and adept evasiveness. Lately, members of the Israeli negotiating delegations have grown increasingly vocal, voicing their frustrations about the obstacles the Prime Minister imposes on their negotiation missions to Cairo, Doha, and even the United States. These complaints have escalated to public exchanges of accusations with the Prime Minister in the Hebrew press.
In response, Netanyahu initially restricted the powers of these high-level delegations, compelling them to report back to the Security Cabinet of Israel after each negotiation round. However, after Benny Gantz’s resignation, Netanyahu dissolved the cabinet, centralizing all decision-making within his own office. However, following a stern reprimand and direct pressure from the US Secretary of State and the CIA Director, who participated in some negotiation rounds focused on implementing the Biden plan, the delegations’ authority was reinstated. However, they were now laden with contentious issues that consistently thwarted any ability to reach a settlement with mutually acceptable guarantees.
Netanyahu’s approach to the negotiation process and mediators ignored the reality that he was deliberately obstructing an American project endorsed by the US administration under President Biden and aimed at ending the war and reducing the political and moral burdens that would trouble Biden and the Democrats in the presidential race. Netanyahu’s strategy seems rooted in the belief that there is no need to rush to reach an agreement now when the situation can be prolonged for months.
Netanyahu’s primary objective is not simply to prolong his tenure as prime minister, but rather to maximize his gains during this period in order to ensure his survival as he sees fit. He believes that these gains will lead to the level of ‘immunity’ he desires, regardless of the ongoing turmoil. Much like his indifference to claims of sacrificing Israeli hostages, while shifting his focus to goals of increased violence and revenge, Netanyahu is now stepping over US red lines in the relationship with Israel, carefully avoiding any appearance of messing around with the ‘high strategy room.’ He is counting on certain Washington insiders to use their influence to validate and push through his actions.
The Hebrew Walla website recently reported a heated debate within the Israeli army over the Philadelphi Corridor. On one side, proponents of withdrawal argue that it could pave the way for a prisoner swap deal and a truce, asserting that Israeli forces could quickly redeploy if tunnel activity is detected. On the other hand, opponents argue that a withdrawal is impractical in the near term, fearing that Hamas would establish a stronghold in Rafah, limiting the army’s current operational freedom. According to the Israeli website, certain officers have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of deploying advanced sensors and surveillance cameras, claiming that they fall short of providing complete security for the sensitive area. They support maintaining a continuous Israeli military presence in Rafah under the guise of monitoring the residences from which tunnels are emerging. Notably, this was an American proposal introduced to tackle the issue of Israel’s presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, as it may stir reservations and sensitivities among the Egyptian mediators, according to US sources involved in the negotiations. Additionally, this proposal reflects a categorical American rejection of any Israeli occupation of Gaza Strip land.
What the Israeli website failed to mention is that this newly emerged Israeli issue is one of the ‘fireballs’ Netanyahu is strategically tossing into the military corridors. His goal is to spark the anticipated controversy by using certain leaders and numerous mid-level military officers who are keen to engage in such obstructive debates, thereby capturing media and public attention. Further reflecting this viewpoint, Walla quoted Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stating in private discussions that relinquishing Israel’s key bargaining assets in the Gaza Strip—such as the strategic Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah Crossing—will not be a wise action. He argued that if Israel must cede control of the Philadelphi Corridor, it should be reserved until the final stages of a deal to secure the release of kidnapped hostages.
Netanyahu is set to fly to the United States shortly to engage in talks with US leaders and to address Congress. His strategy remains clear: leveraging the weaknesses and dynamics of the US political landscape to secure endorsements and assurances from both the Republican and Democratic parties to fortify his own position.
The Arabic version of this article was originally published on July 19, 2024.
