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Israel Escalates Gaza Assault Amid Doha Talks and Growing Internal Divisions

As Gaza endures relentless bombardment, Israeli leaders clash over war goals, Trump weighs deportation proposals, and international diplomacy struggles for relevance

Watan-As Israel discusses what it calls a “decisive dramatic day” regarding stalled negotiations in Doha, it continues its massacre in Gaza, taking advantage of both Arab and Western official silence and timid criticism.

This genocidal war government is also backed by Israeli public silence, as leftist commentator Gideon Levy wrote today in Haaretz, stating that all of Israel is complicit in Gaza’s catastrophe—actively or through denial and silence. He noted that Netanyahu’s legacy will be overshadowed by genocide.

Alongside these failed negotiations and threats of escalation using “Gideon’s chariots,” divisions within Israel remain, mainly about the war’s purpose and future—not its bloody consequences for Palestinians.

Ben-Gvir Demands Deportation, Lieberman Says War Serves Only Netanyahu, While Trump Awaits Arab Signals

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, speaking on Israeli public radio, warned that stopping the war now would be a surrender to Hamas and open the door to “another October 7.” He claimed the solution lies in “voluntary deportation,” elimination of Gazans, and killing their leaders.
On the other hand, former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman stated the war has become one for Netanyahu’s survival, not Israel’s safety. He argued Netanyahu doesn’t seek victory or a ceasefire, but an endless war to stay in power—saying, “Whoever failed to win after 19 months won’t do so in two weeks.” He called again for an immediate end to the war and implementation of the deal.
Notably, a ceasefire agreement had been reached in January, but Israel violated it, refused to advance to phase two, and resumed war in March. In recent days, Israel insists military pressure is the way forward, believing it will force Hamas back to the negotiating table in Qatar.
According to Israeli sources quoted by public radio, no breakthrough has been achieved in Doha. Israel reportedly supports the second Witkoff proposal: retrieving half of the live hostages and a third of the dead in exchange for a 50-day truce and releasing 200–250 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas, by contrast, has expressed readiness to release all hostages at once—if the war stops and Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza, or at least with solid U.S. and international guarantees to end the war.
Ben-Gvir Demands Deportation, Lieberman Says War Serves Only Netanyahu, While Trump Awaits Arab Signals
Itamar Ben Gvir

Meanwhile, Washington is proposing a modified version of Witkoff’s plan—freeing five hostages for a 50–60 day ceasefire, alongside a phased disarmament program for Hamas. Israel rejects this.

Hamas spokesperson Taher al-Nunu told Al Jazeera last night: “Negotiations are ongoing, but we sense no real Israeli seriousness.”

Israeli press reports today highlight growing U.S. pressure on all parties, raising the crucial question of Arab states’ stance—before, during, and after Trump’s regional visit, where he returned with a “fantasy basket” of gifts.

Despite mixed statements—sometimes showing sympathy for Gaza—Trump revived talk of deporting a million Palestinians to Libya, a country itself bleeding from 14 years of war. Trump remains the key decision-maker, but his stance depends on the seriousness of Arab governments. What’s clear is that this is not just Arab “incapacity” but a deliberate political posture.

Ongoing Talks, Ongoing Disaster

Israeli military analyst Amos Harel (Haaretz) notes that Trump’s position on the war and the deal depends on what he heard in the Gulf days ago. He argues military pressure affects Hamas, but the Doha negotiations could drag on—and there’s no real justification for the campaign the Israeli army is preparing for, especially after a January ceasefire was reached.

Echoing Lieberman, Harel writes that Netanyahu and his extremist partners are the only potential Israeli beneficiaries from a perpetual war. He warns that if Trump doesn’t intervene to stop Netanyahu, Israel could face prolonged international entanglement—this time, possibly with sanctions.

Western Silence and ICC Backlash

Will Western powers go beyond their muted critiques of Israel’s unprecedented genocide since WWII? This question gains urgency as global interests appear to outweigh ethical concerns.

Suspiciously, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan was removed from his post after allegations—timed shortly after he issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.

Karim Khan takes administrative leave from the International Criminal Court during a UN-led investigation
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan steps down temporarily

Hell for Both Sides

The Israeli government shows no regard for criticism, even launching attacks on mild dissenters like French President Macron.

Columnist Ben-Dror Yemini (Yedioth Ahronoth) wrote today that Israel’s friends cannot understand Netanyahu’s actions. He argues that the war is fueling antisemitism, that Hamas is gaining global traction, and that Israel is nearing defeat—due not to media failures but to flawed policies or the absence of any.

Intelligence editor Ronen Bergman paints a bleak picture, saying many Israeli security officials now believe that neither of the war’s two stated goals—returning hostages or defeating Hamas—is realistically achievable, especially considering the massive cost of reoccupying Gaza and establishing long-term military rule.

President Emmanuel Macron’s declaration that the Gaza crisis is “unbearable” reflects a turning point in French foreign policy.
President Emmanuel Macron

“The Land Belongs to Its People”

Political analyst Shimon Shiffer agrees, accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing alliances with extremists like Smotrich and Ben-Gvir over diplomacy with Saudi Arabia.

He recalls a Palestinian taxi driver in Oslo once telling him in 1998, “They expelled us from Ramla in 1948 and from Nablus in 1967. Tell Netanyahu we’ll return to Palestine—because the land belongs to its people and will accept no one else.”

In essence, Shiffer warns: without a shared-living solution, life in this land will remain a shared hell.

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