Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas has suggested that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is deliberately extending the ongoing military operations in Gaza and Lebanon for political reasons. Speaking from Tel Aviv, Pinkas claimed that Netanyahu wants to prolong the conflict to maintain a war-driven atmosphere, which is politically advantageous for him. Despite the damage to Netanyahu’s “Mister Security” reputation after the Hamas attacks on October 7, he has managed to reposition himself.
Although Israel’s campaign against Hamas remains largely supported domestically, it has sparked concerns about future occupation, relations with Palestinians, and conflicts with regional actors like Hezbollah and Iran-backed forces. Israel’s military objectives have expanded to include Hezbollah, and Netanyahu’s cabinet is discussing how to respond to Iran’s missile strike on October 1.
Pinkas criticized Netanyahu for dismissing U.S. President Joe Biden’s post-war plans for Gaza and refusing to negotiate a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages. He noted that Netanyahu no longer mentions the 100 hostages still held in Gaza. Pinkas believes that only a ceasefire, which he argues is achievable as Israel has met its key objectives in Gaza, could help de-escalate tensions with Hezbollah. However, Netanyahu has chosen not to pursue that path.
