Israel is Self-Destructing – The Diplomatic October 7th Has Begun

PM Netanyahu is navigating a political reality in which the hostage protests serve his interests by:

The correlation between the ongoing protests and Hamas’s escalating demands which benefits him politically has also led to a strategic deadlock on Netanyahu’s part in the global arena - where this paralysis has reached a breaking point: the bluff is beginning to unravel.

Trump, who once regarded Netanyahu as a strategic ally, is now recognizing his limitations. Netanyahu’s lack of decisiveness—his refusal to eliminate Soleimani, his hesitation in relocating the U.S. embassy, and his reluctance to assert sovereignty over the Jordan Valley despite backing from the Trump administration—has culminated in a stark realization. His unwillingness to issue firm ultimatums and his delay in implementing proactive measures concerning the Palestinian population are allowing Israel to cede ground to more assertive regional actors, particularly Egypt, which is solidifying its influence like never before.

Once seen as a shrewd and dynamic leader, Netanyahu now appears incapable of keeping pace with unfolding events. Just as Zelensky attempted to navigate a political landscape while ignoring shifting realities, Netanyahu remains entrenched in an outdated discourse—one that is increasingly misaligned with the rapid tempo of events dictated by Trump.

In the absence of Israeli leadership, Trump has been compelled to engage directly with Hamas. The immediate consequence is that negotiations are proceeding without meaningful Israeli leverage, enabling Hamas to exploit the talks to secure strategic gains for the Palestinian population.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu refrains from pursuing assertive policies, such as population transfers or resettlement initiatives, effectively abandoning the global diplomatic arena.

In truth, Netanyahu and the “All for the Hostages” movement stem from the same fundamental perspective—both oppose the evacuation of the Palestinian population. The difference lies in the speed at which they advance their respective agendas. While the demonstrators demand swift solutions that maintain Gaza’s demographic status quo, Netanyahu operates more slowly, ensuring that the Arab presence in Gaza remains—albeit without the release of the hostages.

His failure to seize a historic opportunity to reshape the demographic balance and redefine the regional order has only strengthened Egypt’s position and deepened its influence. Simultaneously, Trump is bypassing Israel even in the Iranian arena, engaging directly with Russia—presumably without coordination with Jerusalem.

Trump is gradually realizing that Netanyahu lacks both influence and power in the Middle East. He is no longer a significant player, not even in shaping his own country’s security and legal policies. This growing irrelevance forces Trump to sidestep Israel repeatedly, while regional leaders—including Turkey and Arab allies—stand poised to capitalize on the vacuum, expanding their influence.

Politically, Israel is experiencing its own October 7th all over again—precisely at a moment of unprecedented dynamism from the most supportive U.S. administration in Zionist history. And all of this is unfolding because the man once regarded as a master diplomat is proving incapable of steering an effective policy. The cost of this missed opportunity is becoming painfully clear before our eyes—a tragedy that may far surpass the toll of 1,800 lives.