TEL AVIV — For the first time since the start of the Israel-Hamas war 85 days ago, Israelis received an unadulterated demonstration on Thursday of their prime minister’s helplessness and captivity by the ultra-extremists in his coalition.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long been under pressure by US President Joe Biden, the decorated Israeli generals in his war cabinet, and Israel’s Western and Arab allies to formulate a postwar vision for Gaza. After much procrastination, Netanyahu finally scheduled a meeting of his war cabinet to discuss "day-after" scenarios for Gaza. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday evening, was the topic of widespread media and public discussion throughout the day.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting, the prime minister scratched the topic from the agenda.
Netanyahu had decided to discuss the topic after realizing he could no longer stave off US pressure, as also reflected in talks this week in Washington between Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close associate, and top Biden administration officials. He also feared that increased US pressure could affect military preparedness for continued fighting in Gaza, and possibly in Lebanon, and undermine the security-political umbrella Biden has provided Israel at international forums.
