Benjamin Netanyahu has built his career on a simple, ruthless Gaza strategy: ensure that war never truly ends. As Israeli bombs rain down on Gaza yet again, shattering a fragile ceasefire, the real question isn’t whether peace was possible. It’s whether it was ever meant to last.
For Netanyahu, war is more than just policy—it’s survival. The state of perpetual conflict has kept him in power for years, shielding him from corruption scandals, domestic opposition, and growing international condemnation. The October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas may have reignited full-scale war, but the reality is that Netanyahu’s government was never interested in a lasting truce.
The Ceasefire That Was Never Meant to Hold
After weeks of intense pressure from the United States and other international actors, Netanyahu reluctantly agreed to a ceasefire in January. But his government did everything possible to sabotage it. Humanitarian aid was blocked. Water and electricity were cut. The Israeli military repeatedly violated the terms of the agreement.
By early March, it was clear: the Israeli government was waiting for an excuse to resume the bombing. That excuse came soon enough, with claims that Hamas had failed to release more hostages—ignoring the fact that Israel itself had not upheld its side of the deal.
The Political Utility of War
Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, including extremists like Itamar Ben-Gvir, were never going to accept peace. For them, war is an opportunity—a pretext to expand illegal settlements, push Palestinians out of the West Bank, and solidify Israeli control over occupied territories.
But Netanyahu also had personal stakes in ensuring the war continued. With multiple corruption cases looming over him and growing dissent within Israel, war became a convenient distraction. As long as rockets are flying and emergency powers are in place, Netanyahu remains untouchable.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Catastrophe
As always, the people of Gaza pay the highest price. In just the first week of resumed airstrikes, over 400 Palestinians—most of them civilians—were killed. Entire neighborhoods were leveled. Aid agencies were blocked from delivering food and medicine. The two million people trapped in Gaza now face not just war but starvation.
International outrage has been swift but toothless. The United Nations has condemned the violence, yet it has failed to take meaningful action. Western governments, including the Biden administration, continue to supply Israel with weapons while issuing empty statements about “de-escalation.”
America’s Role: Enabling the Endless War
The United States remains Israel’s most powerful backer, providing billions in military aid every year. President Donald Trump, eager to maintain his strongman image, has not only stood by Netanyahu but actively encouraged Israeli aggression.
Trump’s administration has gone even further—launching massive airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen and threatening military action against Iran. The goal? To link the war in Gaza to a broader, U.S.-led confrontation against Iran and its allies.
A White House spokesperson recently declared:
“As President Trump has made clear, Hamas, the Houthis, Iran—all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel but the U.S.—will see a price to pay, and all hell will break loose.”
It’s a chilling statement. And it makes one thing clear: Netanyahu’s war is now part of something even bigger.
The Road to Nowhere
This isn’t just another war. It’s the continuation of a policy designed to keep peace forever out of reach. Netanyahu doesn’t want a negotiated settlement. He doesn’t want a Palestinian state. And as long as he remains in power, Gaza will remain trapped in an endless cycle of violence.
For the people of Gaza, every ceasefire is just a countdown to the next bombing campaign. For Netanyahu, every attack is another day in office. The question isn’t whether this war will end. It’s how long the world will continue to let it happen.
