How Netanyahu using war to buy time?
By Qasem Moheb-Ali
Middle East affairs expert
At the outset of the Gaza war, Israel laid out three goals: to destroy Hamas, to free captives, and to set up a new administration in Gaza — one that excluded Palestinians. This alternative governance was envisioned either under direct Israeli control or via an Arab or international consortium. However, a recent decision by Israel’s security cabinet marks a dramatic shift: it now envisions the full occupation of Gaza for an indefinite period. This move strongly suggests that Israel is gearing up to dig in and hold onto the territory long-term, while deferring any final decision on Gaza’s future until later talks — whether they follow US President Donald Trump’s Gaza takeover plan, forcibly displace Palestinians, or settle on some shared administrative model with the participation of Arab countries.
Despite its overwhelming military campaign, Israel has so far failed to wipe out Hamas. The war’s main consequence has been the large-scale destruction of Gaza and the killing of civilians — with little to show for it strategically.
So, why does Israel continue this war despite opposition at home and abroad?
For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Gaza war has thrown him a lifeline. As long as the conflict drags on, his grip on power remains intact. Moreover, the involvement of regional actors like Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen has handed Netanyahu a pretext: he portrays himself as Israel’s savior, claiming that its national security is hinged on his leadership and policies.
Another stroke of political fortune for Netanyahu came with the return of Donald Trump and the hardliners to the US political scene. This shift has opened the door for Netanyahu to act with fewer constraints. While US Democrats traditionally stood by Israel — it is a fixed policy of Washington to back Tel Aviv — they were critical of Netanyahu’s policies and showed greater openness toward centrist factions within Israeli politics.
Trump, by contrast, has thrown his full weight behind Netanyahu and has shown no reservations about his aggressive policies. This alignment has emboldened Israel’s far-right factions to press ahead with expansionist ambitions, and the war in Gaza is used as cover for a broader push to annex the West Bank fully. It’s nearly impossible to separate out the roles of Israel and the United States.
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