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[Text/Observer Network Liu Chenghui] "As the Biden administration and its allies try to secure a difficult ceasefire in Gaza, Israel seems to be becoming more and more rogue." Steven Erlanger, chief European diplomatic correspondent of the New York Times, published a commentary on August 2, criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for launching provocations at the risk of triggering a regional war, looking like an arrogant "rogue."

Erlanger mentioned in the article that Netanyahu's speech in Washington last week was quite provocative. Despite international condemnation, Netanyahu vowed to continue his war against Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank, where Israel kills and imprisones dozens of Palestinians every week and has no idea how to end this situation.

Analysts say that as Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah prepare to launch retaliatory actions, Israel's assassination of senior Hamas and Hezbollah figures has greatly increased the risk of a larger regional war. However, the death of the opponent cannot change the strategic dilemma Israel faces in Gaza, such as ending the conflict, post-war governance, and caring for local civilians. Instead, it may further intensify the conflict and make the ceasefire process more difficult.

Israel says it does not want to occupy Gaza, but has no other solution to maintain order. The conflict has killed thousands of people, and Hamas still refuses to surrender. Although the United States believes that a ceasefire followed by a regional agreement is the solution to the problem, Netanyahu dismisses it. He believes that only force can force Hamas to make concessions and restore Israel's strategic deterrence against Iran and its proxies, especially Hezbollah.

Yet, by lacking a clear war goal, Netanyahu is dividing Israel, its allies, and even Israel itself. This has further shaken trust in his leadership. Suspicion is growing that Netanyahu is taking the country into war in order to retain power. Israeli society is deeply divided over the fate of Israeli hostages, the conduct of the war, and the rule of law, shaking the institutional ties that hold Israel together.

"Israel's international image has continued to suffer since October last year - despite nine months of war, Israel has not achieved its military objectives, and its social and domestic reputation has also been damaged," said Sanam Vakil, Middle East analyst at Chatham House.

Erlanger believes that the attack launched by Hamas in October last year once united the whole of Israel, but the long-term war has also made the country face division, and the far-right forces have tried to take the opportunity to weaken and infiltrate key government institutions. The discipline of the Israeli army has also been affected.

To stay in power, Netanyahu has empowered far-right politicians, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who are deeply religious, support the expansion of Jewish settlements, and oppose any form of a Palestinian state. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, in particular, oppose any agreement with Hamas and have installed their cronies in key positions in the Israeli bureaucracy.

Although these two men are in the minority, they, like Netanyahu, are representatives of Israel in the world. Netanyahu's political dependence on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich and his tolerance of their excesses are damaging his image.

Nahum Barnea, a well-known Israeli journalist and commentator, worries: "We are in a very dangerous process that could cast a shadow on the original genes of this country." He said that radical populist politicians should not enter the government, let alone hold important positions in the government, and that far-right politicians "want a real sea change in our regime and values."

The article notes that a right-wing riot this week was a clear example of this risk.

On July 29, nine Israeli soldiers were detained and interrogated for allegedly sexually assaulting Palestinian male prisoners, sparking dissatisfaction among the Israeli far right. More than 1,200 right-wingers went to the military base to protest and demand the release of the soldiers. The protest then turned into a riot, and they forced their way into the base to try to release the imprisoned soldiers. Due to a lack of police force, the Israeli army was even forced to withdraw some troops from the Gaza front and the West Bank.

While Netanyahu has criticized the protests, he also appeared to defend them, comparing them to previous protests against him over his push for judicial reforms.

To be sure, Erlanger said, while a significant number of Israelis want Netanyahu and his far-right coalition to go, there are also many who want Hamas’s power in Gaza to be defeated and dismantled, to ensure that what happened on October 7th does not happen again. There are inevitably disagreements about the best way to achieve a more lasting peace.

Israel Army Radio stated on August 1 that according to informed sources, Hamas has indefinitely frozen ceasefire and personnel exchange agreement negotiations due to the death of Hamas leader Haniyeh in an attack.

As the situation continues to escalate, Axios News Network reported on the 2nd, citing two US officials, that US President Biden privately issued a "tough" warning to Netanyahu on the 1st, asking him to stop escalating regional tensions and immediately reach a ceasefire and hostage agreement, otherwise don't expect the United States to provide help again.

Biden told reporters on the evening of the 1st that Haniyeh’s killing "does not help" the parties reach a negotiation agreement.

This article is an exclusive article of Observer.com and may not be reproduced without authorization.