After what Netanyahu has described as a resounding victory against Iran, he is now looking at bigger steps spanning the region, Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh reports from Amman.

“Not just to release the Israeli captives from Gaza, not just ‘destroy Hamas’ — but something more grandiose. Something that, with the help of the US president, Netanyahu hopes will bolster his legacy and standing among right-wing circles in Israel,” she said.

“What is being talked about are more normalisation deals with neighbouring countries in the region — deals that would make ending the war in Gaza a component rather than a central issue in efforts moving forward.

“We’ve even heard from Trump stepping in, criticising the ongoing corruption charges against Netanyahu, asking that those trials be done with,” Odeh said.

“Right now, the momentum is building, not just by protests to demand an end to the war in Gaza, but from Netanyahu to try to find a deal that is bigger than Gaza, one that will keep his right-wing coalition intact.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walks after a press conference, in Jerusalem on May 21, 2025. —Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walks after a press conference, in Jerusalem on May 21, 2025. —Reuters

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