Netanyahu’s Gamble: Winning in Gaza, Losing the West

Israel is on a collision course with the world—and the stakes could not be higher.

This week, Israeli forces launched a full-scale ground assault on Gaza, calling up 60,000 reservists and extending the service of another 20,000 troops. For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it’s a “necessary step” to crush Hamas and secure Israel’s borders. For the rest of the world, it looks like a gamble teetering on the edge of disaster.

The United Nations has warned that this offensive could unleash “mass destruction,” hitting civilians and children already suffering from hunger. Across Europe, protests have erupted, while Western capitals voice increasing outrage. Yet Netanyahu refuses to blink. His demand is absolute: the surrender of Hamas, the release of hostages, and Gaza’s total demilitarization—anything less is unacceptable.

What began with unconditional Western support after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack has now turned into criticism, threats of sanctions, and even European recognition of Palestine. France led the charge, followed by Spain, Norway, Ireland, and more, demanding a ceasefire and proposing governance reforms for Gaza under the Palestinian National Authority. Britain is edging in the same direction, linking recognition to a halt in hostilities.

The humanitarian crisis has reached a breaking point. Months-long blockades in early 2025 cut food and medicine to Gaza, leaving millions on the brink of starvation. Even the staunchly pro-Israel Donald Trump reportedly lost patience, expressing fury over undeniable reports of suffering in a tense call with Netanyahu.

Europe, meanwhile, is playing a careful game: showing independence from Washington, appealing to domestic voters, and signaling moral authority, all while avoiding real military or political costs. For Netanyahu, however, the stakes are existential. His strategy may yield tactical military gains, but each advance isolates Israel further on the global stage.

The result is a lonely fight, waged not just in the streets of Gaza but in the corridors of global power. Netanyahu is betting everything—his soldiers, his strategy, and his country’s international standing—on crushing Hamas. But in doing so, he risks alienating the West, turning friends into critics, and leaving Israel to fight not only a war on the ground but a diplomatic battle it may not win.

The question remains: how far can Netanyahu push before even his closest allies turn away?