Benjamin Netanyahu has proven to be a master tactician – at least when it comes to surviving at the pinnacle of Israeli power. He has served as head of government for more than 17 years since 1996, far longer than the founder of the State of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, who remained in office for 13 years. To endure, especially in Israel's turbulent political landscape, Netanyahu's method has been to manage one domestic crisis after another, banking on the idea that each new crisis will eclipse the last, buy him time and cause the media, public opinion and other parties to shift their attention from one controversy or scandal to the next.

After the announcement of the gradual occupation of all of Gaza, the head of government finds himself under intense pressure, to the point that many observers question whether his coalition will remain intact until October 2026, as planned. In addition to almost unanimous international criticism, severe accusations from the opposition and calls from families of hostages for a general strike, Netanyahu now faces open threats from his own allies within the governing coalition.

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