The resignation of one of Netanyahu's men deepens the crisis in the Israeli government

BeirutThe resignation of Ron Dermer, Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs, one of the main negotiators of the current ceasefire in GazaDermer, one of Benjamin Netanyahu's most trusted advisors, has exposed the cracks in the Israeli government. In a country marked by two years of war in Gaza and constant tension on the northern border, his departure, announced this week, has raised concerns about the stability of the coalition. Dermer, who previously served as ambassador to Washington and was seen as the most pragmatic voice in the security cabinet, is leaving for personal reasons, but his exit comes at the worst possible time. Netanyahu faces criticism for his handling of Gaza, the lack of a clear roadmap for the region, and internal conflicts among factions within his government. Without Dermer, the prime minister loses one of his most reliable bridges to Washington and Arab capitals, precisely when he needs to project cohesion and control. In Gaza, the situation remains delicate; The territory remains under partial occupation and military control, with border incidents. Day in, day out. Since early November, a humanitarian pause sponsored by Qatar and Egypt has allowed some aid to enter and some displaced people to return home, but frequent closures of access corridors and sporadic incidents serve as a reminder that the truce is fragile.

The future of Gaza

Within the Israeli government, tensions are evident. On one side are the far-right ministers, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir And Bezalel Smotrich want to maintain military control of the Gaza Strip indefinitely, while the more pragmatic factions of Likud—Netanyahu's party—and the army believe that part of the administration should be ceded to the Palestinian Authority for international oversight. Washington is pressuring Israel to present a clear plan for Gaza, but the internal division keeps Netanyahu in a stalemate. Dermer's departure further aggravates the situation, because his role as coordinator with the United States and Arab mediators was key to balancing the voices within the cabinet.

At the same time, Syria has returned to the center of the regional chessboardThe country is attempting to rebuild under Ahmed al-Sharaa, with US support and active mediation from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Tel Aviv and Damascus have resumed direct contact, mediated by Washington and Jordan. The talks are focused on the security of the Golan and the withdrawal of Israeli troops deployed during the 2024 offensive. Syria demands that Israel withdraw to the lines it held before December 8, and Tel Aviv wants guarantees that pro-Iranian militias will not operate on its border. De-escalation proposals on the table include a security zone under international supervision, prisoner exchanges, and the partial reopening of border crossings.

Although Dermer was not leading the negotiations with Syria, his departure reduces Netanyahu's ability to coordinate domestic policy with foreign diplomacy and leaves the government more vulnerable to Damascus and international mediators. Internal tensions within the Israeli governing coalition are evident.

Open conflict

Dermer's departure leaves a void in this delicate balance and eliminates one of the last bridges between Netanyahu and the moderates. The fracture is also evident in the generational clash and the distribution of power. The religious and ultranationalist parties in the coalition are threatening to withdraw their support for Netanyahu if any key government position falls into the hands of the moderate parties. In turn, the Israeli prime minister has ceded ground to these ultra-conservative factions and angered the more centrist and secular sectors.

On the international front, the resignation weakens communication with Washington and makes the European Union and Arab mediators view Israel with even greater caution. For the Jewish state's neighbors, especially Syria and Egypt, the perception of a divided government increases the sense of vulnerability and opens up strategic opportunities.

For Netanyahu, the resignation of his most trusted strategist serves as a warning. In more than three decades of political career, he has survived legal crises, internal revolts, and electoral defeats. But this time the erosion seems deeper. His coalition, united by the convenience of the context and divided by ideologyHe faces a risk of implosion if he fails to stabilize the situation in Gaza or offer a narrative for the future.

Dermer's departure is not the cause but the symptom of an exhausted power system, in which loyalty is no longer enough to contain mutual distrust. In Jerusalem, no one dares to speak openly of a transition, but the question repeated in the halls of the Knesset is not whether there will be diplomatic progress in the region, but whether Netanyahu will manage to sustain a government that is teetering on the brink.