Welcome to our blog where we delve into the recent political turmoil in Israel that sheds light on the collapse of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
By Roberto Cetera
A few weeks ago, we had a conversation with Israeli analyst and mediator Gershon Baskin titled ‘The truce is over’ (‘La tregua è finita’). At the time, some thought it was premature, but it was based on the realization that a concrete plan for the future of Gaza was lacking, and internal political factors were hindering the achievement of a sustainable peace.
The challenges faced by Israel in transitioning to phase two of the truce, as outlined in the January agreement, were concerning. The pressure from the extreme religious nationalist right, led by ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, who were crucial for Netanyahu’s government, further complicated the dialogue.
The situation was exacerbated by President Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Gaza’s Palestinians to other Arab countries, drawing international criticism. The Holy See also expressed opposition to any form of ‘deportation’.
Unfortunately, Baskin’s predictions proved true as Israeli armed forces initiated a new military campaign unilaterally, resulting in casualties, including children. These events have reignited tensions with Hamas and sparked demonstrations against Netanyahu’s government in Israel.
Moreover, a feud between the government and Shin Bet, the internal intelligence service, has come to light, with allegations of misconduct and pressure on the intelligence chief to resign. The involvement of Qatar in funding Hamas and its links to Netanyahu’s spokesperson have raised further concerns.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog criticized the divisive approach and called for an independent inquiry into recent events, emphasizing the need for unity in addressing the crisis.
The unfolding events underline the complexity of the situation and the urgent need for diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation.
