Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli military to push control of Gaza to 70%. The directive came late last night. It blindsided Downing Street.
Officials were caught off guard. They had been assured quieter operations were coming. The news broke as Defence Secretary John Healey prepared to fly to Tel Aviv.
His mission was diplomacy. Now it looks like a fool's errand. Whitehall sources say Number 10 is 'apoplectic'.
They feel Netanyahu is twisting the knife. The 70% figure is a land grab. It is not defensive.
It is expansion. Labour backbenchers are restless. A letter is circulating.
It demands the government condemn Israel. It calls for sanctions. The PM is in a bind.
He cannot alienate the White House. But his own party is howling. Cabinet is split.
The Foreign Office wants a tougher line. Downing Street preaches restraint. Healey will deliver a stern message.
But will Netanyahu listen? The man has survived Biden. He has survived the ICC.
He is not scared of a junior minister. The real game is in Washington. Trump's return emboldens him.
If Trump wins in 2026, the Occupied Territories Bill dies. That gives Netanyahu cover. Until then, he will bulldoze.
The UK's influence is fading fast. Whitehall is a spectator. The question is not if Gaza will be absorbed.
It is when. The 70% target is a milestone. It is not the end.
Sources say the real goal is 100% by 2027. That is the nightmare scenario. Keir Starmer's government has no answers.
They hoped the ICJ would stop him. It didn't. They hoped the US would intervene.
It won't. Now they are left with tweets. Empty rhetoric.
The polls show the British public is split. Half want action against Israel. Half want to stay out.
Starmer is stuck. He cannot please both. His strategy is delay.
But delay is surrender. Netanyahu knows this. He will take more land.
He will dare the UK to react. The question is: will they? Or will Whitehall just tut and turn the page?
