More right-wing lawmakers of Israel’s coalition government are expected to quit if phase two comes into force. This could trigger elections in Israel, which Netanyahu is predicted to lose.
“The lifeline – if we can call it that – for (Netanyahu’s administration) depends on not going into phase two, because radical (lawmakers) are threatening to topple the government if Israel agrees to a full withdrawal from Gaza,” Mayroz told CNA’s Asia Now.
CAN ARAB STATES MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Members of the Arab League are set to meet for an emergency session in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss a post-war plan for the besieged Palestinian enclave.
This comes after US President Donald Trump proposed a US takeover of Gaza and displacing its population into neighbouring Egypt and Jordan.
The Arab states, several of which hold diplomatic relations with Israel, could pressure Israel to reconsider the ceasefire agreement if they take a stronger stance, said Hashemi.
“Theoretically, if there was any sort of credible Arab leadership in the Middle East that is willing to take a firm stand in defence of the human rights of the Palestinians, then Arab states do have a lot of leverage over Israel,” he said.
“It’s noteworthy that not one Arab state that has diplomatic relations with Israel has decided to sever those relations in the context of this (current) horrific situation in Gaza.”
