Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the United States on Sunday for his second visit in two months. He will meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday to discuss his plans to reoccupy Gaza, the US-Israeli escalation against Iran, and Trump's request for a special exemption from the 17% tariffs he imposed on Israel last week, according to informed sources.

Last week, Netanyahu justified the resumption of the war on the besieged Gaza Strip and its reoccupation by claiming that he was implementing the "Trump Plan for Gaza," which the US president announced from the White House on February 4, in Netanyahu's presence. The plan called for seizing Gaza, displacing its citizens, and turning it into the "Riviera" of the Middle East.

It's worth noting that on April 2, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced plans to seize large areas of Gaza "with the aim of eliminating what remains of Hamas's infrastructure and establishing new security zones that will divide Gaza in two." This escalation, which began in mid-March with intensive airstrikes, aims to force a mass exodus of the local population, resulting in heavy casualties among the besieged Palestinian civilians.

Despite international condemnation of the more than 50,000 deaths, 110,000 civilian injuries, and the massive displacement of Palestinians, the Israeli occupation authorities justify these steps as necessary for security in the face of an undefeatable Hamas. Experts believe that ultimately, Israel's actions threaten the fragile ceasefire negotiations, their broader credibility, and its broader hopes for a political process to end the conflict. Experts insist that, in reality, negotiations will be the only viable path to stability and security.

On March 18, Netanyahu ended the ceasefire that had been holding in Gaza since January 19, brokered by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, in exchange for the release of Israeli prisoners. This was intended to destroy any chances of moving to the second phase of the agreed-upon ceasefire agreement, which stipulates the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a complete end to the war. Instead, the occupation authorities are using harsh military tactics to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 59 prisoners, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.

Experts believe Netanyahu also has several personal and political motives for resuming the war on Gaza. He remains under pressure from far-right factions within his government, which oppose moving to the second phase of the ceasefire and instead seek to expand Israel's security by establishing buffer zones and seizing land. In this context, the occupation government recently approved the expansion of more settlements in the West Bank. With Netanyahu facing broader domestic criticism and legal pressure, the war provides a rallying cry and a distraction from the scandal and corruption within his office.

It is noteworthy that Israel's return to Gaza to "accomplish the mission" delays any political accountability for its security failures. The establishment of a permanent corridor within Gaza's northern and eastern borders is officially intended to prevent future border attacks. While Israel insists it does not seek permanent rule over Gaza, its operations indicate a significant shift toward long-term security control in the Strip.

Netanyahu claims that the effective occupation of certain areas is the only way to ensure that Hamas cannot regroup. However, it is also clear that the Israeli government aims to thwart any reconciliation process between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. By focusing on eliminating Hamas and refusing to engage with it politically, Israel has clear ambitions to reorganize the divided Palestinian leadership.

As noted from the outset, the broader and more significant challenge is Israel's refusal to formulate or participate in a clear post-war governance plan. On March 4, Arab states presented a plan for the reconstruction and redevelopment of Gaza, whereby Hamas would cede power to a transitional technocratic government while the Palestinian Authority is reformed. However, Israel and the Trump administration immediately rejected this plan as unrealistic.

Amid this military escalation and political stalemate, tense negotiations continue, led by Egypt and Qatar, who are attempting to revive discussions with a new proposal that includes a full release of the hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire. Israel has rejected this proposal and presented a counteroffer under which Hamas would release approximately half of the remaining hostages and some of the dead in exchange for a 40-day ceasefire. By refusing to commit to a formal end to the conflict, let alone discuss what comes next, Israel clearly intends to use military pressure to enforce its unknown objective. Its objective so far appears to be the permanent reoccupation of the Gaza Strip. Absent serious and sustained regional and international interest and pressure, this outcome will not lead to a ceasefire or pave the way for a meaningful political process.