As tensions between Israel and Hamas escalate, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under increasing pressure from multiple angles.
The families of two Israeli prisoners held in Gaza for over six years, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, are pushing for the Prime Minister to help them get their loved ones back. Mengistu’s family has written to President Reuven Rivlin asking for immediate action to secure their release, while al-Sayed’s father has been holding daily protests outside the Prime Minister’s official residence in Jerusalem.
At the same time, Netanyahu is facing pressure from within his own government. Right-wing politicians have spoken out against the recent truce that was agreed between Israel and Hamas, and have become increasingly vocal in their criticism of the Prime Minister.
There is also dissent within Netanyahu’s inner circle as senior security officials consider the consequences of further military action. Some worry that success in Gaza may come at the cost of increased tensions in the north of the country, while others point to the risk of a humanitarian disaster following a prolonged military operation.
The Prime Minister is also under scrutiny from the international community. The United Nations and major European powers have called on both sides to exercise restraint, while the US has backed Israel’s right to self-defense.
Amid all of this, Netanyahu faces the daunting task of reconciling these various pressures and developing a solution that will both protect Israel and bring about a long-term resolution to the conflict. How he chooses to handle this difficult situation will no doubt shape the future of Israel and the region as a whole.
