Netanyahu Suspected of Fuelling Gaza Conflict to Delay Elections
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is suspected of attempting to trigger an escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, as part of an effort to disrupt or delay parliamentary elections scheduled to be held at the end of this year.
The suspicion, as reported by Middle East Monitor on Monday (24/8/2026), was reported by the Israeli newspaper Maariv, which cited assessments among senior Israeli military officials.
The assessment by Israeli military leaders stated that Netanyahu does not want the current conflict to end and may reignite escalation in the Gaza Strip as the Israeli parliamentary elections draw closer.
According to Maariv’s report, senior Israeli military officials are increasingly concerned that political considerations may influence decisions regarding further military action.
Israeli military leaders, Maariv stated in its report, have stressed that the military has no intention of being dragged into another conflict without a clear security need.
“We will not engage in a new unnecessary war,” the Israeli military leaders asserted.
Such concerns have emerged amid an increasingly heated debate in Israel over how Netanyahu is handling various conflict fronts, and accusations from the opposition camp that the Israeli PM is exploiting security issues for political gain ahead of the elections.
Recently, Netanyahu stepped up his harsh rhetoric against Turkey, following Israel’s military strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria. Tel Aviv has accused Ankara of intending to establish a military base in Syria.
Israeli opposition figures, including former PM Ehud Barak and Democratic Party leader Yair Golan, have accused Netanyahu of deliberately escalating tensions with Turkey for political gain.
Israeli security officials have also reportedly warned against “unnecessary” escalation with Ankara. They also expressed concern that public statements by Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz could further exacerbate tensions.
This disagreement with the military comes amid a difficult electoral situation for Netanyahu. Recent polls indicate that Netanyahu’s governing bloc will not be able to achieve the parliamentary majority needed to form a government.
Israel is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in October.