Benjamin Netanyahu under fire over Gaza occupation push

TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing growing backlash at home and abroad over reported plans to fully occupy Gaza. He has reiterated plans to do so, despite mounting opposition from the Israeli military, the public, and the international community.

According to Israeli media, Netanyahu told officials, “The die is cast, we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.” The move would mark a dramatic escalation of the war, which has already killed over 60,000 Palestinians and displaced much of the population since October 2023.

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According to a report by Al Jazeera, Military officials, including Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, are reportedly opposed to any further expansion, with experts warning that Israel lacks the troops or public support for such an operation. “This is not realistic at all,” said former US Special Forces commander Col Seth Krummrich, citing severe fatigue and personnel shortages in the IDF.

Over 600 former Israeli security officials also urged the US to pressure Netanyahu to end the war, insisting that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat.

Analysts say Netanyahu may be pushing for escalation to maintain support from his right-wing base and delay his ongoing corruption trial. Critics accuse him of ignoring the fate of Israeli captives in Gaza, and sacrificing national interests for political survival.

Public frustration is rising. Polls show most Israelis believe Netanyahu is more focused on staying in power than ending the war. “It’s madness,” said Chatham House’s Yossi Mekelberg. “A quarter-decent human being would have resigned long ago.”

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Some polls also show widespread public opposition in Israel to the war, with frustration over Netanyahu’s repeated excuses for his government’s failure to reach a ceasefire deal, which could bring the remaining captives home, tangible, Al Jazeera reported.