Israel backs US-Iran ceasefire but Netanyahu’s war goals remain unfulfilled

After five weeks of military engagement, the United States and Iran declared a pause in hostilities, a decision attributed to President Donald Trump. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had previously expressed confidence in the campaign’s outset, now voiced a more reserved perspective on the ceasefire. His remarks highlighted that while the operation was deemed successful, the agreement did not signify the conclusion of the conflict, with further objectives still on the horizon.

Netanyahu’s initial ambitions included dismantling the Iranian regime’s threat to Israel, a goal he described as ongoing. Yet, despite the ceasefire, Iran’s military infrastructure remains intact, and its leadership, though diminished, has not been entirely replaced. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking figures were targeted, but the core of Iran’s governance persists. The nuclear program and enriched uranium reserves remain unresolved, while missile attacks on Israeli territory continue.

“The snake turned into a hydra,”

remarked Shira Efron, an Israel policy expert at the RAND Corporation. She noted that the campaign failed to deliver the regime change Netanyahu promised, as the Iranian missile threat and nuclear capabilities endured. For Israelis, the lack of a clear reduction in the threat felt significant, even as the military and public showed resilience.

Yair Lapid, leader of Israel’s opposition, criticized the outcome as a “political disaster,” emphasizing that Netanyahu was not involved in key decisions. “Israel was not even at the table when decisions were made concerning the core of our national security,”

he stated, adding, “Netanyahu failed politically, failed strategically, and did not meet any of the goals he himself set.”

The ceasefire, while a step forward, may not satisfy Netanyahu’s aspirations. Analysts suggest his overestimation of the campaign’s impact, with some noting that while practical targets were achieved, more ambitious aims like regime change were unmet.

Israel’s upcoming elections could shift the political landscape, potentially ending Netanyahu’s tenure. While the US and Iran’s agreement may be seen as a strategic win for Tehran, the Israeli public remains divided. The ceasefire, though announced, leaves room for uncertainty about the future of the conflict and its implications for national security.