Netanyahu May Escalate Military Action Before Elections, Analysts Suggest

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may leverage military escalation to bolster his standing ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections, according to an analysis by Lebanese outlet Al-Nashra. The report suggests that the final weeks before the vote could see a new flare-up in regional tensions.

Analyst Maher Al-Khatib posits that Netanyahu's political future is the central focus of the Israeli election campaign. Opponents highlight intelligence warnings preceding the October 7, 2023, attack, linking them to the prime minister's accountability. Al-Khatib believes Netanyahu aims to shift the discourse from this issue to security matters and military operational successes.

Netanyahu's rhetoric frequently emphasizes the creation of buffer zones near Israel's borders in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. His recent statements on Mount Hermon, where he declared Israel would not permit foreign armies to establish themselves on its territory and reiterated intentions to pursue regime change in Iran, are seen as targeting both international and domestic audiences, according to Al-Khatib.

The Likud party's campaign increasingly connects regional confrontation with internal political struggles, portraying Netanyahu's opponents as potentially serving the interests of Israel's adversaries. Critics, however, point out that military achievements have not yet yielded stable political agreements or long-term solutions.

Al-Khatib does not rule out an increase in security tensions in the weeks leading up to the election. He assesses that Netanyahu might consider swift military actions or targeted strikes if he believes they could improve his electoral prospects.