Netanyahu's hold on power rests on avoiding Gaza ceasefire, says US senator Chris Murphy

US Senator Chris Murphy said during an event hosted by the Atlantic Council that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a vested political interest in avoiding a ceasefire in Gaza.

Murphy added that Netanyahu and his coalition partners would likely not stand for a deal that includes releasing "Hamas prisoners". 

"It's very difficult given the fact that for both the Israeli government, Netanyahu's government, and for Hamas, there's political upside in not signing a ceasefire," the Democratic senator from Connecticut said during a discussion on the future of Democratic foreign policy.

"Netanyahu's hold on power may ultimately be dependent on him not signing that ceasefire agreement."

Murphy, who serves on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said it was unfortunate, but he believes that Hamas is gaining more "global support" as Israel's war on Gaza continues and that is preventing the Palestinian armed group from signing a deal.

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Netanyahu's hold on power rests on avoiding Gaza ceasefire, US senator says