Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency war cabinet is on the brink of collapse after eight months of conflict in Gaza and mounting internal and external pressures. Formed shortly after Hamas's October 7 attack, which included the capture of civilian hostages, Netanyahu's coalition faces significant challenges.
Conservative hardliners and ultra-Orthodox religious parties have threatened to exit the coalition over potential ceasefire agreements and court rulings. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and opposition leader Benny Gantz have demanded Netanyahu's clarity on Gaza's future, with Gantz threatening to step down if unsatisfied.
Externally, the Biden administration is urging Netanyahu towards a ceasefire deal involving hostages exchange, proposed on May 31st. This proposal faces staunch opposition from far-right ministers within Netanyahu's government, threatening the coalition's stability.
Opinion polls indicate Netanyahu's slight lead over Gantz, though his approval remains low. Analysts suggest Netanyahu's political maneuvering could see him reforming a new right-wing-focused coalition if the current one fails. US President Joe Biden has appealed directly to the Israeli public, warning about the consequences of an indefinite war and urging the acceptance of the ceasefire deal to shift Israel's strategic direction.
The US has also urged the UN Security Council to support Biden's proposed three-phase Gaza plan, which includes a ceasefire, hostilities cessation, and extensive reconstruction efforts, though it faces skepticism and opposition from Israeli hardliners.