|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
As key deadlines approach for Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finds itself at a crossroads, with domestic and international pressures shaping its next moves.
On Sunday, the 60-day period for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to withdraw from southern Lebanon will expire. The terms of the ceasefire with Hezbollah dictated a full withdrawal, but reports suggest that Israel may not complete the pullout immediately.
Netanyahu has sought the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump to maintain five IDF positions in Lebanon, while the military has requested an additional 30 days to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure along the border.
However, Trump has expressed concerns about prolonging Israel’s presence, fearing it could reignite hostilities.
Hezbollah has warned of renewed attacks if the IDF remains beyond the deadline, raising questions about whether the group is willing to escalate or if its threats are part of a broader strategy to influence post-war arrangements in Lebanon.
Complicating matters further, Lebanon’s newly elected president and prime minister, both of whom Hezbollah opposed, must navigate their stance on Hezbollah’s influence and its rearmament in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, the IDF is set to withdraw from Netzarim on Saturday, paving the way for over a million displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.
This shift raises serious questions about governance in the war-ravaged territory. If Hamas regains control in the absence of an alternative authority, Israel’s military campaign may be perceived as having achieved little in dismantling the group’s influence.
Adding to Netanyahu’s challenges, Palestinian Authority-affiliated officials are expected to take on roles at the Rafah Border Crossing under European Union supervision.
While Netanyahu has insisted the IDF will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, Hamas’ control over hostages complicates negotiations.
The group may refuse to release the remaining captives unless Israel commits to extending the ceasefire beyond the current 42-day period.
Netanyahu faces competing pressures from the international community, Israeli hostage families, and hardline coalition members like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who may threaten to topple the government if Israel does not resume military operations in Gaza.
At the same time, opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid support integrating moderate Sunni states and the Palestinian Authority into Gaza’s administration—a stance that could offer Netanyahu a political escape route.
With the IDF scheduled to negotiate a permanent ceasefire with Hamas on February 3, the coming days will be crucial in determining Israel’s next steps.
The country is balancing military objectives, diplomatic considerations, and political survival, with the potential for renewed conflict looming on both northern and southern fronts.