Gaza for Tehran? Netanyahu May Trade Ceasefire for Strike on Iran

Watan-Israeli sources say the destruction and forced displacement in Rafah will soon be replicated in Khan Younis, as part of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plan to occupy 70% of Gaza, confining Palestinians to the remaining 30%. Despite the halt of talks in Doha, Israeli military operations continue under the guise of hostage recovery.

Yedioth Ahronoth reports senior army officers believe the new humanitarian aid strategy could “shake Hamas” and shift the balance. Yet many former officials and commentators strongly dispute this narrative, labeling the war a politically motivated deception.

Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, in a Haaretz op-ed, urges Netanyahu to choose between extremist ministers like Ben Gvir and Smotrich, and international legitimacy. He condemns the war as a “political charade,” warning it won’t achieve its goals but will worsen Israel’s global isolation, ignite anti-Semitism, and endanger hostages. He advocates for a post-Hamas transitional authority supported by Arab states and backed by Gulf funding.

Critics Warn Netanyahu’s Gaza War Risks Iran Escalation and Democratic Collapse

Barak’s criticism is echoed by other former leaders and generals, including Yair Golan and Moshe Ya’alon, who accuse Netanyahu of dragging the country toward authoritarianism and chaos. Analysts like Ben Caspit and Yossi Verter describe the prime minister’s actions as a threat to democracy, likening his tactics to “Russian roulette” and exposing the hostage families to further despair.

Meanwhile, military analysts suggest the war on Gaza may be tied to potential Israeli plans for a strike on Iran. Haaretz’s Amos Harel argues that while the government claims strategic aims, it is killing more civilians than ever before. Yedioth Ahronoth’s Nahum Barnea warns that the total destruction of Gaza is enabling a messianic vision within the government. He and others fear the war could be exchanged for a deal allowing a military operation in Iran.

In conclusion, critics say Netanyahu’s endgame is not victory but survival. The war in Gaza, escalating regional instability, and internal power struggles reflect a failed leadership pushing Israel toward diplomatic disaster, isolation, and possible confrontation with Iran—all while the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza worsens daily.