Divisions Deepen in Israeli Government Over Military Pause in Gaza
When is a ceasefire not a ceasefire? According to the Israeli army, it’s when it’s a “local, tactical pause of military activity for humanitarian purposes.” Israel’s humanitarian aid coordinator for Gaza detailed the daily pause in fighting between 08:00 and 19:00 local time, along a crucial route from the Kerem Shalom crossing point, where aid is waiting to be delivered.
Military Pause Sparks Political Firestorm
The announcement immediately sparked a political firestorm from far-right government ministers. The Israeli army was quick to defend its position, emphasizing that this pause did not signify an end to the fighting in southern Gaza or change the entry conditions for humanitarian aid. This controversy highlights the increasingly delicate position of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, caught between his ambitious military goals and the political allies he needs to remain in power.
Aid agencies must still coordinate with the Israeli army, and Matt Hollingworth, Gaza director for the World Food Programme, noted that the real test would be whether this coordination becomes smoother and faster. However, he also pointed out that coordination is only part of the problem for agencies delivering aid in Gaza. Sunday’s announcement “doesn’t resolve the issue of insecurity and criminality,” he said. “This is the most dangerous area of the Gaza Strip right now for moving aid.”
Aid agencies reported that the ongoing war is exacerbating acute malnutrition in parts of Gaza. Israel faces increasing pressure from NGOs, allies, and its own High Court to facilitate more aid deliveries into Gaza.
Prime Minister Netanyahu faces fierce opposition from two far-right cabinet members who threaten to topple his government if he agrees to end the war. They view aid deliveries as delaying Israel’s victory. Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir condemned “whoever made this decision” as “evil” and “a fool.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich argued that humanitarian aid sustains Hamas’s power and jeopardizes the war’s achievements.
The announcement, made on a day when Israel was burying eleven soldiers, drew criticism for appearing to prioritize international opinion over the needs of the forces on the ground. Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have threatened to dismantle Netanyahu’s coalition if he complies with American demands to end the war.
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The domestic cost of the war is also becoming more apparent. Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon has escalated, highlighting the broader risks of the ongoing war with Hamas. In Tel Aviv, large crowds protested, urging Netanyahu to end the Gaza conflict and secure the return of 120 Israeli hostages.
The funerals of eleven soldiers, killed in Gaza over the weekend, have intensified scrutiny over Netanyahu’s war strategy. He has promised “total victory” against Hamas, framing the current operations as essential to destroying the group’s remaining battalions in Gaza. However, even dismantling Hamas’s military structure will not end the conflict entirely, as Israeli forces continue to face guerrilla tactics from Hamas fighters.
For Netanyahu, ending the war may trigger a new battle for his political survival. The clear divisions between his military and his political allies underscore the growing tensions between the rhetoric of war and its harsh realities.
