Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy in Gaza remains uncertain, prolonging hostilities for political gain. The unwillingness to engage with the Palestinian Authority and push for a “total victory” against Hamas creates further tension.
The military campaign in Gaza and the repression in the West Bank, alongside financial pressure on the PA, demonstrate ongoing conflict. Netanyahu’s appointment of Bezalel Smotrich as finance minister signals a push for further colonization, leveraging financial agreements from the Oslo Accords to weaken the PA.
The ‘Paris Protocol’
The funding rules outlined in the “Paris Protocol” highlight the lack of sovereignty of the PA over the territories, ultimately controlled by Israel, showcasing ongoing power dynamics in the region.
The complex web of political, military, and financial dynamics in the region underscores the ongoing challenges and power struggles at play, shaping the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations.