Israel’s Netanyahu Faces Protests as Gaza War Resumes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced intense protests outside the Knesset in Jerusalem on Wednesday, following the resumption of military operations in Gaza that shattered a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.

The renewed conflict has sparked outrage among many Israelis, who accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over national security and the lives of hostages.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Israeli parliament, with some holding banners that read, "The future of the coalition or the future of Israel," highlighting the growing perception that Netanyahu's decisions are driven by political considerations rather than the country's best interests.

The protests come in the wake of Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed over 400 Palestinians in Gaza, marking one of the deadliest days since the conflict began in October 2023.

Elias Shraga, chairman of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a legal watchdog, accused Netanyahu of waging war to maintain his grip on power and evade justice in his ongoing corruption trial.

"Netanyahu wanted to escape justice. This is the only reason we are facing the regime coup and this bloody war," Shraga told reporters.

The resumption of hostilities coincided with the cancellation of Netanyahu's scheduled testimony in his corruption trial, fueling speculation about the timing of the military action. Opposition leader Yair Lapid joined the demonstrations, emphasizing the need to "make sure that the government understands they cannot do whatever they want."

The renewed conflict has had immediate political ramifications, with far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power party announcing its return to Netanyahu's coalition shortly after the bombardment of Gaza began.

This move is seen by critics as evidence of Netanyahu's political maneuvering ahead of a crucial budget vote on March 31.

However, not all Israelis oppose the resumption of military operations. Margalit Yachad, a volunteer ambulance driver supporting continued action in Gaza, expressed belief in Netanyahu's leadership, stating, "We should respect the leader first and not say horrible things about him, because the enemy sees that we are all broken into parts — and we can't win like that."

As the conflict escalates, concerns about Israel's internal divisions and the future of its democracy continue to grow. The coming days will likely be crucial in determining the trajectory of both the Gaza conflict and Netanyahu's political future.