Foreign Policy on Friday published an analysis by writer David E. Rosenberg, detailing the complexities of "Israel's" ongoing war on Gaza. The piece delves into the political, military, and ideological factors driving the prolonged Israeli war.

According to Rosenberg, while the majority of Israelis and military leaders support a negotiated deal to end hostilities and secure the release of around 100 captives held by Hamas, the regime's leadership resists such moves. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with his extremist coalition partners, is determined to continue the fighting. Rosenberg attributes this stance not just to military concerns but also to domestic political calculations and the ideological aspirations of the far-right.

The analysis details the devastating toll the conflict has taken on Gaza. Since the start of "Israel's" genocidal campaign in October 2023, over 46,000 Palestinians were killed, and the northern region of Gaza has been decimated. Most of its 1.9 million pre-war population has been forcibly pushed out, leaving the area largely depopulated. The Israeli military's scorched-earth policy, modeled on plans devised by reservist officers, aims to clear northern Gaza and declare it a military exclusion zone.

Miracular war

Rosenberg argues that the far-right views the conflict as a "miracle," using it as an opportunity to push their long-standing agenda. This includes the re-establishment of Jewish settlements in Gaza, reversing Israeli 2005 withdrawal, and advancing their messianic vision of annexing the West Bank while expelling its Palestinian population. The war has also enabled settlers to intensify their actions against Palestinians in the West Bank, further exacerbating tensions.

Netanyahu's reluctance to end the war, Rosenberg explains, stems from a fear of losing his political standing. Ending the conflict could trigger a state inquiry into the October 7 attacks, potentially implicating him in the failures of government preparedness. Additionally, his extremist coalition partners might abandon him, jeopardizing his grip on power.

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In Gaza, the devastation has left the region in ruins, with much of its infrastructure destroyed and its population displaced. Some areas under Israeli control are already seeing signs of permanent settlement, with the military building infrastructure in strategic locations like the Netzarim Corridor.