Netanyahu’s War Gamble: How Israel’s Leader Prolonged the Gaza War to Save His Political Future
A New York Times investigation reveals how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended the war in Gaza to preserve his rule, ignoring intelligence, derailing peace prospects, and prioritizing personal survival over national security.
Watan-A major investigative report by The New York Times (authored by Patrick Kingsley, Ronen Bergman, and Natan Odenheimer) reveals that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deliberately prolonged the Gaza war after October 7, 2023, primarily to secure his political survival.
Key findings include:
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In April 2024, Netanyahu considered a ceasefire plan involving the release of over 30 Israeli hostages and opening talks with Hamas for a long-term truce.
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The plan also aimed to restart normalization with Saudi Arabia, which was contingent on ending the war.
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However, under threat from his far-right coalition, Netanyahu abandoned the plan to avoid collapsing his government.
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Military officials reportedly opposed continuing the war, but Netanyahu ignored their advice for political reasons.
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The war resulted in over 55,000 Palestinian deaths, including at least 10,000 children.
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Netanyahu used the prolonged conflict to consolidate power, avoid investigations into his failure to prevent the October 7 attacks, and boost his chances in the 2026 elections.
The investigation paints a picture of political calculation overriding military logic, with grave humanitarian consequences in Gaza and major fallout for Israel’s international reputation.
