Netanyahu's Gaza Gambit: Conquest, Controversy, and Criminal Charges

Benjamin Netanyahu BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Benjamin Netanyahu, embattled Prime Minister of Israel, spent the past few days at the blazing center of controversy, war, diplomacy, and courtroom drama. After the Israeli cabinet’s marathon overnight session on August 8 approved Netanyahu’s bold plan to occupy Gaza City and expand military operations, the rift inside Israel only grew deeper. There’s been a growing chorus in the streets, with families of hostages pushing public protests and even a general strike, accusing Netanyahu of prolonging the conflict for political reasons and ignoring opportunities to bring their loved ones home, claims highlighted by Haaretz. Meanwhile, the devastation in Gaza escalated. As the UN declared famine striking northern Gaza, Netanyahu’s office called the famine reports “modern blood libel,” defiantly rejecting global criticism, as reported by The Times of Israel and The New York Times. In parallel, Israel’s military declared Gaza City a “dangerous combat zone,” ramping up attacks that left dozens of Palestinians dead daily. UNICEF and Al Jazeera amplified warnings of spreading starvation, and the global conversation shifted between horror and outrage.

Amid mounting deaths—including journalists—Netanyahu found himself issuing regretful statements for what he called “tragic mishaps” after an Israeli strike killed journalists at Nasser Hospital. Yet, his language did little to quell international condemnation, and in fact, his stance hardened as far-right ministers publicly called for the annexation of Gaza if Hamas did not disarm, a statement that sparked further outrage and accusations of ethnic cleansing.

On the global stage, Netanyahu’s transformation from statesman to pariah is more visible than ever. Once welcomed at the United Nations, this September he is expected to face jeers, according to the Jerusalem Post’s analysis of Israel’s shifting diplomacy. This cloud of controversy darkened further when Argentine human rights lawyers filed a criminal complaint seeking Netanyahu’s arrest if he sets foot in Argentina, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Reuters and local newspaper Clarin report rumors of a possible Milei-Netanyahu meeting in New York instead, while the UN General Assembly looms.

Behind closed doors, Netanyahu met with the World Food Programme executive director in Jerusalem, his first substantial publicized meeting in weeks, to discuss the humanitarian catastrophe and aid delivery in Gaza. The message from international aid groups was blunt: flood Gaza with food or the crisis deepens. On social media, Netanyahu remains a lightning rod, targeted by a sophisticated Iranian-linked campaign aiming to radicalize Israeli public opinion and foment resistance.

Everywhere Netanyahu turns, he faces accusations, protests, angry families, stern diplomats, and a world media no longer willing to overlook the devastating human toll of his policies. These days, even a scheduled trip can trigger rumors of arrest warrants or protests, marking a dramatic reversal for the man once feted on the world stage. Headlines around the world on August 29 and 30 demand action and accountability, while Netanyahu doubles down, insisting Israel will conquer Gaza “regardless of whether Hamas accepts a hostage deal,” as reported by The Times of Israel. In real time, his every move is dissected, debated, and—depending on who is speaking—either condemned as catastrophic or hailed as resolute leadership.

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