Why Netanyahu’s ‘coup’ against Gaza plan risks endless war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of a United States-led roadmap for Gaza has raised urgent questions about the fragile peace process and the prolonging of suffering for more than two million Palestinians in the territory.The US-brokered 15-point plan mandates that Hamas would disarm in exchange for a phased Israeli military withdrawal and the transition of governance to a technocratic Palestinian committee backed by an international security force.Since US President Donald Trump announced his peace plan for Gaza last year, Israel has continued near-daily deadly attacks in violation of a “ceasefire” deal. Rather than deploying its forces, it now maintains military control of more than 70 percent of the Strip. And on Sunday, just weeks before Israel’s crucial elections, Netanyahu effectively paralysed the diplomatic process by insisting that Israeli troops will not withdraw until Hamas is “genuinely disarmed”.In Gaza, Netanyahu’s declaration sent shockwaves, extinguishing recent optimism and raising the prospect of intense attacks.“There is a form of fear, unfortunately, because the matter is linked to Netanyahu possibly undertaking steps to return to assassinati...