🔗 Share this article

In a defiant address given only an hour following the truce began in Gaza, Israel's prime minister reiterated his commitment to compel Hamas to disarm.

During his televised address, the Israeli leader stated he had resisted intense both local and global pressure to accomplish his primary goal of guaranteeing "the safety of Israel," while simultaneously criticizing his political opponents and restating a threat to return to military operations if required.

"The militant group accepted the agreement only when it felt the sword resting on its neck and it remains on its neck ... Hamas must surrender arms and Gaza must become demilitarized ... If this is achieved the peaceful way, so much the better. Otherwise, it must be accomplished the military way," the Israeli leader declared.

Major Components of the Ceasefire Deal

The accord signed Thursday morning and activated on Friday will lead to Hamas releasing 20 living hostages within 72 hours, the retreat of military units from certain areas of Gaza, and freedom for about two thousand detainees incarcerated in Israeli jails. Further phases are still unclear.

Political Implications for Netanyahu

Political analysts described the speech as "campaign rhetoric."

"He constantly running for office. In every speech it is: 'I ordered this', 'I ordered that'. It's consistently me, me, me ... That's what he excels at," commented Yossi Mekelberg.

The prime minister's approval ratings failed to rebound substantially since the 7 October 2023 unexpected attack that initiated the war. The assault resulted in twelve hundred deaths, primarily civilians, with an additional 250 taken hostage.

Political Timeline

Elections in Israel are due in approximately twelve months, but most observers anticipate them within six months. The most recent poll, published on Friday, showed widespread approval for the ceasefire and hostage release among Israelis had increased Netanyahu's party by a minimal margin, and that the existing government would likely lose by a wide margin.

Upcoming Obstacles

The coming weeks will present further difficulties for Netanyahu, who has served as leader in Israel for 18 years cumulatively. He faces corruption charges that could lead to a ban on government positions or potentially imprisonment, and will additionally encounter new calls for a full judicial inquiry into the security lapses that allowed for Hamas's October attack.

Any ceasefire in Gaza is expected to be unstable, and implementing thornier parts of the agreement will be highly challenging.

Political Survival

The key for Netanyahu will be to persuade Israelis that he remains "the security expert" despite the most severe security failure in the nation's existence happening on his watch. International backing from important partners is expected to assist his standing.

"The prime minister represents the primary narrative of this war ... Currently, Israel stands in the strongest security position in its existence: there is diminished Syrian danger, Hezbollah has suffered a significant setback, and so have Iran and Hamas. His probable message will be: security was compromised, but we rose in complete strength – and we defeated all of Israel's enemies," stated a political consultant.

Wider Electoral Landscape

Despite the consequences of the war in Gaza, Israel's international isolation and domestic divisions, the overall electoral environment may continue to benefit Netanyahu. Political rivals remains fragmented.

"Israelis appear lacking significant interest for the peacenik stuff at the moment," noted a journalist. "It may not seem logical, the fundamental issue in the nation's political discourse is remains the identical as it has been for a long time: yes Bibi, or no Bibi?"