Was Netanyahu Genuinely Unaware of IDF's Plan to Pause Fighting?

In a surprising turn of events, the Israeli military announced on Sunday that it would "pause" fighting during daytime hours along a key humanitarian aid corridor in southern Gaza. This pause, communicated through the military’s English and Arabic-language channels, is aimed at facilitating the increased distribution of food aid in Gaza. International organizations have raised alarms about the dire hunger situation there.

However, the initial announcement led to confusion. A follow-up clarification in Hebrew stated that the change did not mean an end to fighting in the southern Gaza Strip, particularly in the city of Rafah, where military operations continue. According to military officials, the daily pauses from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. are solely for humanitarian purposes.

The situation became more complex when the government indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might have only learned of the military’s plan from news reports. This has led to speculation and debate about whether he was truly unaware.

Was Netanyahu truly unaware? 

According to a report from the New York Times, analysts believe it is unlikely that Netanyahu was completely in the dark. They suggest that the different announcements were meant for varied audiences. The contrasting messages highlight the competing pressures on Netanyahu as he navigates demands from the Biden administration and the global community, while also managing his own hawkish government. His far-right coalition partners strongly oppose any concessions in Gaza, and Netanyahu relies on their support to maintain his position.

“It’s classic Bibi,” said Amos Harel, the military affairs analyst for Haaretz. Harel, along with other experts, believes that the prime minister was probably informed about the plan, even if he wasn't briefed on the specific timing of the tactical change.

“He has a mask for every occasion,” Harel added. “For the Americans, he needs to show he is doing more to get aid in. For the Israeli audience he can say ‘I didn’t know’ and go for plausible deniability.”

Is Netanyahu attempting to strike a balance?

The new policy for the humanitarian corridor went into effect on Saturdays. Yet, Netanyahu suggested that he only became aware of these plans on Sunday morning.

The announcement and Netanyahu's reaction to it reflects the delicate balancing act Netanyahu is attempting to strike. While the international community urges for more aid and humanitarian efforts, his domestic coalition demands a firm stance against Gaza.

Experts argue that it is highly unlikely that Netanyahu didn't preapprove the plan.