After seven months of conflict, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s promises of complete victory in Israel are looking increasingly distant. Despite pledges to defeat Hamas in Gaza, bring back Israeli hostages, and restore peace on the northern front with Hizbollah, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
Hamas has regained control in areas previously seized by Israeli forces, hostage negotiations have stalled, and Hizbollah continues to launch attacks on Israeli villages. Netanyahu’s public clashes with the US and his own defense establishment have further eroded confidence in his leadership.
A recent poll showed that a majority of Israelis no longer believe in the possibility of “total victory,” highlighting the growing sense of strategic drift and lack of a clear plan for the future. The once-unified national front has begun to fracture, with doubts growing about the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.
Criticism has also been mounting over the lack of postwar planning for Gaza, with calls for a new governing structure to replace Hamas. The government’s reliance on far-right allies has complicated efforts to establish a viable alternative.
As international pressure mounts and domestic discontent grows, Netanyahu’s leadership is facing increasing scrutiny. The families of hostages taken during the conflict have become a powerful symbol of the nation’s frustrations, demanding action to secure their loved ones’ safe return.
With no clear end in sight to the conflict and mounting challenges on multiple fronts, Israel finds itself at a critical juncture. The path to victory remains uncertain, and the consequences of failure are becoming increasingly dire.