Israel's internal divisions: Challenges amid Gaza war

Israel woke up on Tuesday morning on the eighteenth day of the Gaza war to a serious division that hadn't been witnessed even at the height of the rift it faced after the start of popular protests against the policies of Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

However, after two weeks of Israeli unity, division has again taken center stage.

The release of two elderly Israeli prisoners by Hamas on Monday night contributed to raising demands for a halt to military operations and reaching a solution ensuring prisoners' return from within the Gaza Strip.

With the statements of the freed Israeli prisoner about the situation in Gaza and Hamas's readiness to prolong the period of captivity for those taken there, families of the prisoners began offering financial rewards to anyone who could help them obtain information about their missing relatives.

Despite Israeli admission of being unable to eliminate Hamas by air, confusion has overtaken decision-makers who had their voices silenced after the postponement of the ground operation due to US pressure to secure the release of more prisoners.

However, the most significant blow to Netanyahu came from within his own party, the Likud, when voices rejecting the decisive ground operation grew louder.

Ministers from his party had threatened to resign, and Likud members launched a widespread media campaign, calling not only for the postponement but also for the cancellation of the ground operation in Gaza to prevent many soldiers from falling there.

Further complicating matters, southern border town mayors adjacent to the Gaza Strip began a campaign in which they threatened to go on a hunger strike and stage a sit-in in front of the Knesset if the government doesn't ensure their shelter.

This is especially concerning since residents of these towns who resorted to hotels are now at risk of sleeping in tents in the streets after being informed that they must vacate their temporary accommodations.

All of these developments discourage Israel from taking any reckless steps in launching a ground operation.