- Internal Rift in Israel: The Israeli government is experiencing internal differences over the Gaza operations, with some coalition members supporting a ceasefire while others push for continued military action until a decisive victory over Hamas is achieved.
- Strategic Achievements: Israel has made significant gains in its operations against Hamas, including the elimination of key leaders and the weakening of Hamas’s leadership while maintaining a strong focus on regional security.
- Hamas’s Desperation: Hamas is in a more desperate situation compared to Israel, facing an existential crisis as its leadership crumbles under intense pressure from Israeli military operations.
Since October 7th, 2022, when Hamas launched a terrorist attack against Israel, both sides have been involved in continuous retaliations. The conflict has been ongoing, with Israeli operations in Gaza aiming to eradicate Hamas’s presence. However, Hamas still holds Israeli citizens captive.
Img: October 7th Attack
Since the October 7th attack, there have been continuous attempts to establish a ceasefire and engage in negotiations regarding the hostages held by Hamas. However, these efforts have been largely unsuccessful. The most recent talks took place in Qatar, involving representatives from Hamas, the United States, Egypt, and Israel, with the U.S. and Egypt acting as mediators. Unfortunately, these talks also failed.
The main points of contention during the Doha peace conference were Hamas’s demands for the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from Gaza and an immediate ceasefire. In contrast, Israel insisted it would not stop its operations until it achieved a complete victory over Hamas.
It’s important to note that U.S. President Joe Biden and his allies have been calling for peace in the region. The regional presence of the United States has been significant, especially considering the upcoming U.S. elections. There is speculation that Arab-American voters may turn against the Democrats due to their handling of this situation, which could influence U.S. foreign policy.
Internal Struggles Over Ceasefire in Israel’s Wartime Government
The agreement on a ceasefire in Israel has led to internal differences within the country. Israel is currently under a wartime government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose Likud party is supported by various far-right parties, including those led by Benny Gantz, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Bezalel Smotrich.
Img: Likud Part Campaign Poster
Due to the coalition government, there are differing agendas among the leaders. For instance, Benny Gantz, who was part of the coalition, supported a ceasefire. However, when Prime Minister Netanyahu refused to agree to his demand, Gantz withdrew his support from the coalition.
On the other hand, other parties within the coalition, particularly those led by Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, want the war to continue until Israel achieves a complete victory. This divergence in views has led to significant internal differences within the Israeli government.
Despite these differences, Prime Minister Netanyahu is determined to eradicate and eliminate Hamas’s presence in the region, which he views as crucial.
Hamas’s Desperation and Israel’s Strategic Focus
It’s also accurate to say that, at present, Hamas is in greater need of a ceasefire compared to Israel. Israel has recently made significant achievements, not only by eradicating Hamas from regions of Gaza but also by effectively countering threats against Israel. This includes targeting key figures such as Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, and other significant military leaders from Hezbollah and other resistance groups.
Israel is making strides towards achieving peace and stability in the region, reducing the threats posed by these groups. Meanwhile, Hamas is facing an existential crisis, with the majority of its leadership crumbling under intense pressure from Israel.
Amidst this situation, it is crucial for the Israeli cabinet to maintain consensus among its members and to stay focused on fulfilling its objectives in the Gaza region. Additionally, Israel must address the threat posed by Hezbollah, as internal stability is essential for the country. Only with internal unity can Israel effectively pursue and achieve its goals in Gaza and southern Lebanon.
Reference:
- [NDTV Article on Hamas Ceasefire Talks](https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/hamas-rejects-new-conditions-in-us-led-gaza-ceasefire-talks-6417199)
(Aayush is a post-graduate student in International Relations at Kalinga University, Raipur. The opinions expressed are the author’s own)
Balaji Subramanian 
Palak Dogra 
Sindhuri Sai