A comprehensive investigation by The New York Times has revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deliberately prolonged the war in Gaza to maintain his fragile far-right coalition government and secure his political power. The report, based on six months of research, indicates that Netanyahu sacrificed multiple cease-fire opportunities and ignored intelligence assessments to extend the conflict. This strategy aimed to prevent a state inquiry into his alleged negligence and misreading of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in severe casualties. The ongoing war has led to tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, including nearly 10,000 children under the age of 11, as well as the deaths of numerous Israeli hostages. Netanyahu's coalition depends on far-right ministers who seek to conquer Gaza and settle Jewish populations there; failure to achieve these goals could cause the coalition's collapse. Critics argue that Netanyahu also used the war to distract the Israeli public from his corruption trial. There is speculation that Netanyahu intends to delay peace talks until the Israeli parliament's summer recess on July 27, making it harder for ministers to destabilize his government. The investigation has drawn international attention, with Netanyahu publicly condemning the report and emphasizing concerns about Hamas' hold on power.