Benjamin Netanyahu continues his tightrope act between war, diplomacy, and personal survival. As of July 2nd, Israel’s prime minister is facing simultaneous crises: a new US-brokered ceasefire proposal in Gaza, mounting political fractures at home, and a corruption trial that has conveniently slipped further down the calendar.
The diplomatic headlines are all about the ceasefire. According to Reuters, Donald Trump announced that Israel has agreed to “key terms” for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza—a claim echoed by Sky News, which notes that Israel’s acceptance still comes with “many unanswered questions.” CNN reports deep divisions among Israeli leadership over the deal, with coalition members and military officials worried about security guarantees and the status of hostages still held by Hamas.
The New York Times and Financial Times both highlight that, while a 60-day truce would mark the longest pause since the latest escalation began, the risk of renewed fighting remains high, and key elements—including Hamas’s response—are still unresolved. ABC News details US efforts to pressure all parties, with Trump expected to meet Netanyahu next week to hammer out the deal’s specifics.
Amid these diplomatic theatrics, Netanyahu’s domestic troubles are far from resolved. His long-running corruption trial was delayed yet again by an Israeli court—officially to accommodate his upcoming US trip, according to The Times of Israel and Haaretz. Critics charge that the ever-slippery timeline serves Netanyahu’s personal interests, allowing him to postpone courtroom reckonings as long as international drama persists.
Meanwhile, the political chessboard is as volatile as ever. Netanyahu’s ultra-Orthodox allies have renewed their boycott on coalition-sponsored legislation, further destabilizing his grip on government. The Jerusalem Post documents the growing impatience within Israel’s ruling bloc, while international analysts warn that the current ceasefire momentum could evaporate as quickly as it emerged.
There are also fresh questions about Netanyahu’s family finances, with Jewish News reporting on revelations of property acquisitions under alternate names. Meanwhile, the shadow of the ongoing hostage crisis lingers over every negotiation, as noted by CNN.
In sum, today’s “progress” toward peace is as fraught as ever. Netanyahu is once again playing for time—on the battlefield, in the courtroom, and on the global stage—betting that another diplomatic reprieve will outlast both his political enemies and the latest set of corruption charges. The only constant in this rolling crisis is the ability of Israel’s most durable leader to turn delay into survival strategy, at least for one more news cycle.