As Israel approaches a parliamentary election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is weighing a potential military operation in the occupied West Bank amid renewed violence in the region.

Senior Israeli journalist Ben-Dror Yemini, writing for Yedioth Ahronoth, has offered a critical assessment of Netanyahu's political prospects, arguing that the prime minister's public standing has significantly deteriorated since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023.

"Netanyahu is not popular anymore," Yemini stated, describing the October 7 attacks as a decisive turning point in how Israelis view their long-serving leader.

Yemini also addressed the limits of military escalation as an electoral strategy, suggesting that a large-scale West Bank operation would carry significant political risks rather than benefits.

"Politically, it will not help anybody," he said, casting doubt on the notion that military action in the West Bank could serve as an effective tool to boost support ahead of the vote.

The comments reflect a broader debate within Israel over the relationship between national security decisions and electoral legitimacy, with critics questioning whether military operations are being shaped by political calculations rather than security imperatives.

The occupied West Bank has seen a surge in violence in recent months, adding pressure on the Netanyahu government as it navigates both the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the approaching election cycle.