Netanyahu’s talk of peace is mere masquerade for Gaza destruction
The Israeli leader’s objective is still to take over Gaza City and destroy Hamas
Jonathan Eyal
Global Affairs Correspondent
LONDON - With most of the world’s attention diverted to the potential for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and US diplomatic efforts to mediate such an outcome, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to talk the talk of peace.
But ultimately, he is speaking for another audience.
Ever since the resumption of hostilities in Gaza on Aug 8, Mr Netanyahu’s “discussions” with Hamas, such as they are, have consisted of a ceasefire only if the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is allowed to enter and destroy Hamas.
On Aug 18, he offered a pause in hostilities to resume negotiations over new terms that would be acceptable for Israel.
But Mr Netanyahu also made it clear, both in public statements and in subsequent interviews with foreign media networks, that his objective remains the “destruction” of Hamas, rather than any accommodation with the organisation.
In all likelihood, therefore, Israel’s latest diplomatic initiative is only intended to gain time and deflect criticism.
Currently, around one million Palestinians are estimated to remain in the Gaza Strip, most of them internally displaced from the north.
Israel on Aug 8 announced its intention to capture Gaza City, and an army spokesman said that preparations for the final steps of the operation had begun.
But while fighting in built-up urban areas is the most demanding kind of all military operations, the Israeli government insists that “slow and steady” wins.
Israel has announced plans to call up a further 20,000 reserve soldiers to beef up their current terms of service, and aims to send in about 3,500 soldiers -- a total of about 35,000 troops -- to encircle the city.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has admitted to foreign correspondents that the real reason for encircling the city is to fulfil what he termed the “urgent need” for permanent occupation of Gaza City.
But the full-sale planned offensive has yet to be launched: after four days of intense bombing at the end of July, Israel confined its military operations to shelling the eastern part of the city.
Still, the aim among the decision-makers is to break the “humanitarian dilemma” currently facing tens of thousands of civilians in the south of the region, who are expected to flee from Gaza City.
This threatens to deadlock peace flows because there are already refugees in the Israeli buffer zone near the strip’s border, and more are likely to arrive in the vicinity of Gaza City.
As the United Nations agency for Palestinian affairs has proclaimed, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated and the need for international help is more urgent than ever before.
An Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in the northern part of Gaza City on Aug 21 caused disaster and plunged the entire region into a cycle of permanent military occupation and destruction.
The Israeli government’s official position is that Israel’s deployment is only a “defensive action” in response to Hamas’ firing of rockets. But in interviews with foreign news outlets, Israeli military chief Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi has said that the only lasting peace solution is to wipe out Hamas.
Still, the Palestinian resistance -- Hamas and the Palestinian militant coalition -- have not given up. Hamas is believed to have 20,000 fighters remaining in Gaza City.
Israeli intelligence claims that the organisation is receiving aid from approximately 50 Israeli hostages.
In subsequent interviews with foreign media networks, Mr Netanyahu continued to claim that his objective remains the “destruction” of Hamas, rather than any accommodation with the organisation. In all likelihood, therefore, Israel’s latest diplomatic initiative is only intended to gain time and deflect criticism.
That is why the Prime Minister continues to refuse all calls for a permanent ceasefire, as he knows that such negotiations are only possible if his forces achieve a complete encirclement and the destruction of Hamas.
So, this time, it is unfuriating for the international community to see that the latest political coalition within Israel was based on returning to war, and that unless a new government is put down the government if Mr Netanyahu accepts any deal.
jeyal@sph.com.sg
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The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point, with the UN reporting that over 40% of the population requires food assistance and nearly a quarter face acute famine-like conditions. This is no longer a looming crisis but outright starvation, exacerbated by Israeli restrictions on aid intended to block Hamas, which have left hospitals without supplies and vulnerable people dying from treatable diseases.
In response to the bleak situation and Israel's planned military assault, a fresh diplomatic push is underway. Several countries, including the UK, France, Malta, and Australia, plan to announce their recognition of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September 2025. This would leave the United States as the only permanent Security Council member not to extend recognition, intensifying pressure for a ceasefire and aid access.
However, pathways to relief remain severely limited on the ground. A solution is impossible without access to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, which continues to face major restrictions. Despite some diplomatic pressure resulting in aid convoys, the amount arriving is far less than what is authorized and needed.
The current U.S. administration holds the key to alleviating the crisis. The article posits that President Donald Trump’s intervention is urgently required to end the hunger crisis. A new chapter for him to act is signaled, with the warning that without major steps, the diplomatic gamble could end in war.
Ultimately, a humanitarian initiative remains the only immediate option for relief. The pressure is set to intensify as the crisis worsens, with the international community watching to see if the U.S. will take decisive action.
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