News analysis Fresh strikes on Gaza tied to Netanyahu's plan to retain power

The longer the offensive goes on, the longer he can avoid blame for security failings

- Jonathan Eyal

As Israel's military resumed massive attacks across Gaza after talks to extend a ceasefire failed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he wants his military to continue taking "decisive action" in the Gaza Strip.

"Israel will now act with increasing military force against Hamas," the Prime Minister's office said in a March 18 statement, after the Palestinian militant group refused to release Israeli hostages it still holds and allegedly rejected all fresh ceasefire proposals.

The reality, however, is that Mr. Netanyahu's latest military offensive is directly connected to his domestic political battles and particularly to his latest confrontation with Israel's intelligence community.

As a result, the continuation of the Gaza war remains inextricably linked to Mr. Netanyahu's political survival.

Since the current war started after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 Israelis and taking over 250 hostages, Mr. Netanyahu has pursued two parallel objectives.

The first was the "elimination" — as he put it — of Hamas.

His second objective was to do everything possible to avoid being held responsible for failing to prevent the Hamas attack — the most significant and bloodiest single blow suffered by the Jewish state since its creation almost eight decades ago.

Although Mr. Netanyahu has always strenuously denied any connection between Israel's military strategy in Gaza and personal political interests, such denials are not very convincing.