"Netanyahu Won’t End Gaza War Because He Faces Prison for Corruption and Wants to Stay in Power" – Diana Buttu

"Netanyahu Won’t End Gaza War Because He Faces Prison for Corruption and Wants to Stay in Power" – Diana Buttu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist that the war in Gaza will not end “until Hamas is defeated.” But analysts argue that he may have no real intention of ending it at all.

Purpose Behind Prolonging the War

Netanyahu repeatedly uses the phrase “defeat of Hamas,” but experts believe he is using the war as a political tool. Israeli author and researcher Elia Ayoub told Al Jazeera:

“Hamas is already weakened. It’s clear Netanyahu is intentionally continuing the war—this is merely an excuse to prolong it.”

A Strategy to Maintain Power

Netanyahu is currently on trial for corruption, and his government is facing internal discord. As long as the war continues, public and political scrutiny of his leadership remains muted.
Once the war ends, he could face immense pressure over his failure to prevent the October 7 attacks and his corruption cases.

Diana Buttu, former advisor to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), stated:

“He knows that the moment the war stops, all eyes will be on him—for his failures and his corruption. His political survival depends on continuing the war.”

Israel Rejects Alternative to Hamas

During the conflict, Hamas has signaled readiness to relinquish governance of Gaza and proposed the formation of a neutral technocratic government. But Israel rejected the offer.

Analyst Hamzeh Atatreh commented:

“Hamas said they are willing to step back. But Israel still insists that unless they disarm completely, it’s not acceptable.”

Is Hamas Really the Target?

In the past 20 months, many top Hamas leaders have been killed, and the group is now militarily weakened, unable to launch large-scale coordinated attacks. Yet the war continues.

Al Jazeera analyst Meirav Zonszein said:

“Netanyahu has always used Hamas as a pretext—to avoid negotiations and to escape confronting any post-war plans.”

Indifference Despite Humanitarian Catastrophe

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the war has so far killed 54,300 Palestinians and injured more than 124,000. Despite this staggering toll, Israel shows no sign of stopping the war.