Netanyahu declared at a press conference that Israel would continue to fight in the Gaza Strip until “total victory” was achieved. By this he means the elimination of Hamas and the safe return of Israeli hostages. The prime minister acknowledged that it could take months to achieve that goal.
That unyielding position is increasingly shaky as Western allies increase pressure on Israel. Even the United States, Israel’s most important ally, has once again pushed for a two-state solution.
Such a solution has been mentioned many times in the decades of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Netanyahu has long opposed the creation of a Palestinian state. But after Hamas attacks on October 7 killed more than a hundred people, he believes a two-state solution is categorically unacceptable.
But with the rising death toll in the Gaza Strip and mounting pressure from allies, Israel must consider a durable post-conflict solution. Hamas-run health officials say 25,000 Palestinians have been killed and 85 percent displaced.
