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Breaking: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a potential government collapse as far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich threaten to resign if a ceasefire agreement with Hamas is reached, according to reports emerging on May 10, 2024. This internal political pressure complicates ongoing negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States aimed at securing the release of hostages held in Gaza and achieving a lasting cessation of hostilities.
The escalating tensions within Netanyahu’s coalition stem from deep ideological divisions regarding the future of Gaza. Ben Gvir,the National Security Minister,and Smotrich,the Finance Minister,both leaders of the far-right Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionist party respectively,have publicly advocated for the expulsion of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip – a policy widely condemned internationally as possibly constituting forced displacement and a violation of international law. They have also voiced support for the re-establishment of Israeli settlements within Gaza, a move that would further complicate any long-term peace prospects.
The potential for a full-scale occupation of Gaza remains a central point of contention. While Israeli officials have stated the objective of dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities, the duration and scope of any potential occupation are unclear. A prolonged occupation would likely face significant resistance from palestinian militants and could lead to a protracted and costly conflict.The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led attack on Israeli communities near the Gaza border, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of over 240 hostages.
Any expansion of Israeli military operations in Gaza is anticipated to draw strong condemnation from the international community. The United Nations, the European Union, and numerous individual nations have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and expressed concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where over 1.7 million people – approximately 75% of the population – are internally displaced, according to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for palestine Refugees in the Near East. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is also investigating alleged war crimes committed by both israel and Hamas in the context of the conflict.
