Israel / Gaza: Benjamin Netanyahu and His Endless War?

Since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has crossed a new, unprecedented threshold of violence and scale. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, has launched a war declared as total against Hamas, with the stated objective of « dismantling the terrorist organization » and « restoring Israel's security ». More than eighteen months later, the war has become bogged down at an unimaginable level: Gaza is in ruins, the human toll on the Palestinian side is significantly increasing according to local authorities, thousands of Israelis remain traumatized, and not all hostages have been released. As the fighting continues, a question arises: Can Netanyahu achieve his objectives? And above all, what path to peace? A War with Shifting Contours The Israeli response, massive and unprecedented for decades, initially benefited from broad internal support and tacit international backing, particularly from the United States. But over the months, the scale of destruction, successive humanitarian crises, strikes on humanitarian convoys, and civilian deaths — women, children, caregivers, journalists — have profoundly altered this dynamic. Netanyahu, under political and judicial pressure in his own country, has made this war a personal matter. He rejects ceasefire proposals that do not guarantee « total victory » over Hamas, even as several members of his cabinet, senior military officials, and hostage families advocate for a swift end to the conflict. But Hamas is not a classic enemy: deeply rooted in Gazan society, it is difficult to eradicate by military means alone. Each Israeli strike fuels a spiral of hatred and, paradoxically, strengthens the resilience of armed groups. A Divided and Powerless International Community Faced with the continuation of hostilities, the international community appears fragmented. The United States, Israel's main ally, is beginning to raise its voice, calling for « a swift end » to the war and conditioning part of its military aid. South Africa, Jordan, Turkey, France, and several Latin American countries have denounced « war crimes ». The International Court of Justice has even asked Israel to cease its military operations. But Netanyahu persists, convinced that the objective of security outweighs diplomatic or humanitarian considerations. International institutions — UN, Security Council, ICC — struggle to exert influence, facing a web of alliances, cross-vetoes, and the absence of collective political will to impose a lasting ceasefire. Towards Lasting Peace: What Mechanisms? The end of the war will not be merely military. It will require a comprehensive political framework. Several options are on the table: A multi-stage ceasefire agreement, with an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, gradual withdrawal of the IDF, and the establishment of an international interposition force.
– A revival of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, currently moribund, including mutual recognition, security guarantees, and the prospect of a viable Palestinian state. This would also imply a renewal of Palestinian leadership, beyond both Hamas and the current Palestinian Authority.
– Multilateral governance of Gaza, under Arab and international supervision, with reconstruction, gradual disarmament, and massive humanitarian aid. But none of these scenarios can succeed without coordinated and firm international pressure on all parties. And above all, without taking into account the legitimate aspirations of both peoples for security, dignity, and self-determination. Netanyahu at a Crossroads Benjamin Netanyahu's political future is also tied to the evolution of this conflict. If he succeeds in bringing all hostages back alive, he could regain popular legitimacy. But if he fails, he risks being caught up by domestic protests, military criticism, and his ongoing corruption trials. As for Gaza, it remains a wounded land. Without a political vision, it risks remaining trapped in an endless war. And without a collective will to silence the weapons, calls for peace will remain unheeded. Finally, the current war is not just Israel's against Hamas. It is a struggle for memory, justice, dignity, and survival. But without political courage — in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Washington, Paris, and Cairo — peace will remain a mirage. And Gaza, a field of ruins and tears.