Those close to Netanyahu estimate that Hamas will seek to turn the truce into a permanent ceasefire, in parallel with international pressure on Israel to stop the war, and they call on Netanyahu to step down from political life before the demonstrations against him begin.

“Pessimistic” estimates prevail in circles close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the possibility of returning to a large ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip, after the implementation of the prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel, which will include a truce in the war on Gaza, according to what the Maariv newspaper reported. " 

The truce entered into force this morning, and the first round of prisoner exchange will be carried out at four o'clock this evening. The Israeli prison authorities removed the 24 female Palestinian prisoners from Damon Prison, and the minor prisoners from Megiddo Prison, and transferred them to Ofer Prison, where they will be released to the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.

Despite the offensive statements made by Netanyahu and other officials at the political level, such as Minister Yoav Galant, as well as at the military level, estimates in closed deliberations are that in parallel with the implementation of the prisoner exchange and truce agreement, the Hamas movement will make a great effort to prolong the duration of the truce, scheduled for four days, and transformed it into a “permanent ceasefire,” according to the newspaper.

Israeli estimates, according to the newspaper, indicate that Hamas will launch an intensive media campaign, through international media, especially American, that will be invited to the Gaza Strip during the truce. Following the shocking scenes of what happened to the Gaza Strip, which will be reported by the media, Israel will be subject to mounting international pressure demanding that it end the war on Gaza.

The newspaper added that it is possible for the United States to join the demands for a long ceasefire and to begin international contacts in order to reach a political settlement regarding the status of the Gaza Strip.

The newspaper continued that, according to estimates by those close to Netanyahu, in such a scenario, the “National Camp” party led by Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, members of the war cabinet, will withdraw from the government, and in parallel, activists will begin protests against the plan to weaken the judiciary, organizing demonstrations calling on Netanyahu to resign. 

Those close to Netanyahu believe, according to the newspaper, that the possibility available to Netanyahu in such a scenario is to announce, before the demonstrations begin, his intention to resign and retire from political life at the end of a “political process for a regional settlement.”

Those close to them added that in this case, internal elections will be held in the Likud Party, and the winning candidate in these elections will form a government without announcing the date of the next general elections.

The newspaper indicated that in this context, the possibility of reaching a prosecution deal between Netanyahu and the Public Prosecution regarding his trial for serious corruption violations was also discussed once again.

The newspaper pointed out that such a plea deal was proposed two years ago, but it did not come into effect because of the stigma that would be attached to Netanyahu, or because of his removal from political life for a period ranging between five and seven years. If Netanyahu announces the end of his political career, the stigma will not be taken into account.

The newspaper quoted those close to Netanyahu as saying that the talk was about studying the possibility of Netanyahu stepping down and not about a decision on Netanyahu’s part. They added, "The future of the deal with Hamas and the war in Gaza will affect decision-making. Netanyahu will decide according to the developments and the public-political situation that will arise."

In a comment from Netanyahu, Netanyahu said that the newspaper’s report “has no basis.” Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his clarification that the war will not stop. Prime Minister Netanyahu is focused on completing all the goals of the war until its end: eliminating Hamas, returning our abductees, and establishing a reality that does not threaten the State of Israel.

Source: Arab48