Netanyahu faces rising tensions with Turkey and impasse in Gaza peace talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has identified Turkey as a new adversary during his election campaign. This escalation follows an Israeli strike on a decommissioned military base in northern Syria near the Turkish border. Netanyahu accused Ankara of attempting to establish a military presence in the region, while Turkish Defense Ministry officials denied sending any military delegations to the area.

Simultaneously, diplomatic efforts to reach a peace plan in Gaza have reached an impasse. Negotiations between Netanyahu and U.S. special envoy Jared Kushner in Jerusalem failed to produce a breakthrough. The primary disagreement concerns the timeline for Israeli military withdrawal and the disarmament of Hamas.

Netanyahu maintains that the Israel Defense Forces will not withdraw from Gaza or allow reconstruction funds until Hamas is ‘genuinely disarmed.’ While the Trump administration's 15-point roadmap proposes a phased withdrawal linked to disarmament, Hamas requires an immediate cessation of attacks and troop withdrawal as a prerequisite. Analysts suggest Netanyahu's rigid stance may be influenced by upcoming Israeli legislative elections and the need to maintain his right-wing governing coalition.