Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- A detailed investigation by The New York Times, drawing on over 110 interviews with top Israeli officials, foreign diplomats, and insiders, reveals that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deliberately extended the Gaza genocide to preserve his fragile coalition government and secure his hold on power. Six months into the assault, a significant ceasefire proposal was ready to move forward. This plan would have included the release of more than 30 Israeli captives held in Gaza, along with opening channels for broader negotiations. However, pressure from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition members, especially Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, led to the abrupt cancellation of the deal. Smotrich warned that approving the ceasefire would cause the government to collapse, a risk Netanyahu was unwilling to take. Consequently, Netanyahu instructed his advisers to suppress the ceasefire proposal, prioritizing his political survival over an earlier end to hostilities. The investigation shows that Netanyahu’s coalition, heavily influenced by far-right leaders like Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, exerted strong pressure on him to continue the assault. These leaders opposed any significant compromise or talks, effectively limiting Netanyahu’s ability to pursue diplomatic solutions. Their stance also delayed potential normalization talks with Saudi Arabia and complicated efforts to negotiate captive releases. Netanyahu reportedly expanded Israel’s military objectives beyond their original scope. Instead of limiting operations to the necessary areas, he pushed for a broader military campaign aimed at capturing strategic locations like Rafah and Gaza’s borders. The investigation suggests that these expanded goals served political purposes by prolonging the war and bolstering Netanyahu’s domestic standing, rather than strictly military necessity. Netanyahu’s office has denied the accusations, calling the New York Times article defamatory. The office claims that all military and political decisions have been made with Israel’s security as the foremost priority. The investigation is based on a wide range of documents, interviews, and sources, portraying a clear picture of political considerations deeply influencing the conduct of the war.