Netanyahu Predicament in Israeli Politics; How will the Fresh Protests and Strikes Unfold? [Part one]

Six hostages have died in Gaza, leading the Israeli people to infuriate in an unprecedented level. Two days ago, the nation’s military retrieved the corpses of the victims. It happens almost one year after they were captured during the October 7 strikes by Hamas along with other Palestinian militant groups.

According to the Israeli armed forces, the hostages were slain shortly prior to the time their corpses were found. Accusing Hamas of being the cause of the fatalities, Israeli Prime Minister alleged that, anyone who kills hostages is refusing an agreement.

Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of Israelis demonstrated against Netanyahu’s administration in public spaces of Tel Aviv. The demonstrators accuse Netanyahu of having failed to negotiate a truce in Gaza. Izzat al-Risheq, a senior Hamas leader, stated that Israeli attacks murdered the six hostages.

In exchange for Israel’s destructive conflict coming to an end, Hamas has promised to set free the prisoners. In just 11 months, over 40,000 Palestinian people, mostly civilians, have lost their lives in Gaza. One of Hamas’s demands for the truce was the evacuation of Israeli soldiers from the city. In addition, the Palestinian group in charge of Gaza has demanded the freedom of several Palestinian detainees among whom well-known leaders of Gaza’s paramilitary factions.

Protesters yelled anti-Bibi government chants. There were altercations between the demonstrators and the security forces. The nation’s economy came to a complete halt on Monday when the major labor union in Israel issued a strike action. A labor court mandated that employees go back to work almost at midday on Monday.

The most recent attempt to undermine Netanyahu’s authority within the country is a nationwide strike. Since October 7, this is the first time a demand to halt working and delivering services has been made nationally. However, observers noted that the complete effect of the strike and demonstrations won’t be apparent for several days.

It’s so premature to say what the administration will take away from this. Endurance is key in this situation, which means if these actions will continue or will be limited to a specific time span. Netanyahu is not reacting much to the strike, which is a one-time event, allowing Israelis to express their annoyance and rage. There is also a chance that they may come up as an incessant uprising.

Since October 7, when Hamas and other Palestinian groups began an offensive, there has been an ongoing conflict in Gaza. In Israel, the assault claimed the lives of almost 1,200 people and led to the captivity of 240 more. Over 41,000 Palestinians have been murdered and over 94,000 injured in Israel’s ensuing attack on Gaza.

Accusations that Israeli military is carrying out genocide in Gaza are being heard by the International Court of Justice. In the meantime, the ICC’s prosecutor has requested summonses for Israeli prime minister and his defense secretary.

Benjamin Netanyahu has been forced to seek a truce by a significant portion of Israeli community, following a temporary break and a swap of prisoners in November. Since then, most Israelis have called for the release of the remaining 100 prisoners.

Four months ago, glimpses of a ceasefire seemed to be in horizon. But Israeli prime minister tacked on a number of additional, unachievable demands that have essentially ruined the negotiations. Maintaining Israeli forces on the Philadelphi Corridor, which borders Egypt, and the Netzarim Corridor, which divides Gaza to from the center into north and south, were among these requirements.