Israel's Prime Minister vowed for a 'total victory' in the war against Hamas in Gaza, but doubts linger as the ceasefire with the militant group enters its first week. Despite heavy losses inflicted on Hamas, including the killing of top leadership and thousands of fighters, the envisioned 'total victory' remains elusive.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, 33 hostages in Gaza will be freed, Palestinian prisoners in Israel will be released, and humanitarian aid to Gaza will be increased. Israel is redeploying troops to allow over 1 million Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza.
If the ceasefire progresses to the next phase, more hostages will be released, setting the stage for a lasting truce. However, failure to advance could leave over half of the remaining hostages in Gaza, with a significant number believed to be deceased.
Despite international and domestic pressure to establish a postwar governance plan for Gaza, Netanyahu has yet to secure an alternative to Hamas, leaving the militant group in control.
Hamas, on the other hand, is likely to claim victory, citing that Israel did not achieve its goals. The return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza is seen as a significant achievement for Hamas, allowing the group to reassert itself in the territory.
The ceasefire has raised questions about Israel's ability to resume the war, with diminished international support and waning public appetite for further conflict. President Trump's stance on the matter could influence the war's trajectory, as he has shown little interest in a resumption of hostilities.
Netanyahu faces political challenges as pressure mounts from far-right allies to crush Hamas. The ceasefire deal has already led to a coalition partner's resignation and threats of government destabilization if the war does not resume.
As the war's future remains uncertain, the complexities of restarting hostilities and the shifting political landscape in Israel present significant challenges for Netanyahu and his government.
