I wrote 15 months ago that “Netanyahu and Sinwar have common interests in prolonging the war.” Incredibly, but for the details, the analysis remains the same.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stated goals since Oct. 7, 2023, have been incoherent, but his catchphrases have evolved. It started with the nebulous “wiping out Hamas” and the undefined “total victory.” Only after prodding was “the return of the hostages” added.

After 22 months, Netanyahu no longer considers the return of the hostages a war goal — even though 74 percent of the Israeli population supports a hostage deal and the end of the war.

Netanyahu has failed to delineate a “day after” plan or create the conditions that would enable a credible “day after” plan.

After the ill-conceived Trump plan was announced in March, which called for the evacuation of all Gazans while a Trump Gaza “riviera” was built, Netanyahu adopted the removal of all Gazans as an additional war goal. Trump has moved away from his own concept, but Netanyahu and his ultra-nationalist coalition clings to the vision of a Palestinian-free Gaza.

As a result, Netanyahu has continued a war, despite the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir,

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