Netanyahu‘s Repeated Blocking of a Gaza Ceasefire

For nearly two years, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently avoided agreeing to a Gaza ceasefire.

In November 2023, a deal did happen, resulting in the release of 110 captives taken during Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.

But Netanyahu refused to extend that ceasefire just a week later, leaving the remaining captives in Gaza.

Since then, whenever a ceasefire seemed possible, Netanyahu changed the requirements. In May 2024, Hamas accepted a proposed deal, but Israel denied agreeing and invaded Rafah rather. By September, Netanyahu introduced a new demand: permanent Israeli control of the Philadelphi Corridor – the area between Egypt and Gaza – which both Cairo and Hamas rejected.

He later shifted positions, initially suggesting only a partial deal would be considered. Then, he insisted israel would only agree to a deal securing the release of all captives – and not in exchange for an end to the war.

Even proposals from allies were sidestepped. in may 2024, then-US President Joe Biden announced that Israel had offered a ceasefire plan, but Netanyahu remained silent, and no deal materialized.

when a deal was agreed upon and implemented, Netanyahu ensured its collapse. In January 2025, pressured by incoming US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu accepted a phased ceasefire deal intended to continue until a final settlement to end the war was reached. Yet, by March, Israel unilaterally violated it, resuming bombardment and blockade.

And just last week, as Hamas negotiators met in Doha to discuss a new US-backed proposal, Israel bombed them, effectively sabotaging the talks.

Plates Spinning

The Israeli government maintains that deals haven’t been reached as Hamas isn’t a trustworthy negotiator and because any territory relinquished could be used to rearm.