Seven Zionist Motives Behind Prolonging the Gaza War and Stalling Phase Two
Hebrew media reports, along with assessments from Israeli
think tanks such as the Institute for National Security Studies and the
Begin–Sadat Center, indicate that the decision to keep the war open and delay
the transition to the second phase intersects with internal political
calculations and long-term strategic objectives, in addition to regional
balances that Tel Aviv is working to reshape.
1.
Halting Hamas’s Swift Comeback to Politics and Governance
Analyses by Israel’s Channel 12 and Haaretz suggest that
ending the war early would give Hamas the chance to rebuild its military and
security networks, as occurred in previous rounds.
The occupying state continuously brandishes the threat of
renewed operations as a means to exhaust the movement and curb its ability to
project an image of resilience or victory.
2.
Netanyahu’s Pursuit of Internal Political Advantages
Yedioth Ahronoth, Maariv, and Channel 13 argue that Netanyahu
is using the continuation of the war as a political shield to avoid
investigative committees into the failures of October 7, delay
the prospect of early elections, and secure extra time amid declining
popularity within the right wing meaning that the longer the war drags on, the
later the moment of accountability arrives.
3.
Redrawing the Geographic and Field Reality in Gaza
Studies by the Begin–Sadat Center indicate that Israel views
the war as a historic opportunity to impose new realities, including the
creation of security buffer zones in the north and east of the Strip, direct
control over border crossings, and long-term security arrangements designed to
prevent the rebuilding of Palestinian military capabilities projects that require time and a permanent
military presence.
4.
Pressuring Regional Actors and Reshaping the Strategic
Environment
According to Channel 14 analyses, Israel relies on prolonging
the war as a deterrent tool against Iran and Hezbollah, sending a message that
it is prepared for a long and extended conflict.
Tel Aviv also seeks to prove to Washington that it is the
toughest in confronting the Iranian axis, amid escalating disputes over the
management of the war.
5.
Testing and Developing Military Technology and Combat Doctrine
According to official reports, Israel’s Ministry of Defense
views the war as a practical laboratory for testing a new generation of combat
systems, including the use of artificial intelligence in battlefield management,
precision targeting technologies, and the development of urban warfare tactics.
The prolonged war gives the army an opportunity to update its
doctrine in preparation for a multi-front conflict.
6.
The Absence of a Ready Alternative for the Post-War Phase
Israel’s security and political establishment recognizes that
ending the war forces a decisive answer to the question: Who will govern Gaza?
The Palestinian Authority is unprepared, international
administration remains unresolved, and Israel’s promoted local council project
has completely failed.
Tel Aviv therefore prefers to keep the situation suspended,
rather than engage in political arrangements that would burden it with massive
civil and economic responsibilities.
7.
Improving the Terms of Any Future Deal
Israeli analysts point out that prolonging the war gives Tel
Aviv a central leverage card in any future prisoner exchange or political
arrangements.
Each additional day of war allows Israel to raise the ceiling
of its conditions, extract concessions from mediators, and impose stricter security
arrangements in any upcoming agreement.
Israeli media and research readings converge on the view that
keeping the war open is not merely the result of battlefield setbacks, but
rather a strategic decision serving political, military, security, and economic
interests.
Thus, moving to the second phase of the agreement remains, for
Israel, a postponed step until Tel Aviv exhausts all its leverage and
reshapes reality in line with its long-term objectives.
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