The resumption of strikes on Gaza have led to a feeling of desperation among many Israelis. Benjamin Netanyahu said this evening (18 March) that these attacks – which have so far killed 400 people in Gaza – were “just the beginning”. A substantial part of the population is now convinced that the government is willingly inviting further bloodshed only to further its own agenda.
Though many in Israel accept the military case for not withdrawing from the Philadelphi corridor, which was meant to take place after Hamas had released 33 hostages, last night’s bombardment of Gaza looks like a nakedly cynical attempt by Prime Minister Netanyahu to shore up own position in the face of intensified pressure. Given his ongoing legal problems and a resurgent protest movement, Netanyahu had been attempting to fire the director of Israel’s domestic security services, Ronen Bar, and the attorney general Gali Baharav Miara. With the failure of these strategies, it looks as though he has decided to return to war.
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