In a defiant address delivered only an hour following the truce began in Gaza, Israel's prime minister reiterated his commitment to force Hamas to disarm.
In his broadcast address, the prime minister claimed he had resisted intense domestic and international pressure to achieve his main objective of ensuring "the security of Israel," while at the same time criticizing his detractors and restating a threat to return to warfare if required.
"The militant group accepted the agreement precisely when it sensed the sword resting on its existence and it remains on its threatened position ... Hamas must surrender arms and Gaza must become demilitarized ... Should this occur the peaceful way, that would be ideal. And if not, it will be achieved the military way," Netanyahu stated.
Major Components of the Ceasefire Deal
The deal signed early on Thursday and activated on Friday results in Hamas freeing 20 living hostages within 72 hours, the retreat of Israeli forces from specific regions of Gaza, and freedom for about two thousand detainees held in prisons. Additional steps are still undefined.
Political Implications for Netanyahu
Experts categorized the speech as "an election speech."
"He constantly campaigning. In every speech it is: 'I ordered this', 'I directed that'. It's always me, me, me ... This is what he does best," observed an Israeli politics specialist.
The prime minister's approval ratings failed to rebound substantially since the October 7th surprise Hamas raid that triggered the Gaza conflict. The incursion resulted in 1,200 fatalities, mostly non-combatants, with another 250 captured.
Electoral Landscape
Israeli national elections are scheduled in approximately twelve months, but most observers anticipate them sooner. The latest poll, published on Friday, showed widespread support for the truce and captive return among the Israeli public had boosted Netanyahu's party by a minimal margin, and that the current coalition would still face defeat by a significant gap.
Future Challenges
The next period will present further difficulties for Netanyahu, who has held power in Israel for nearly two decades cumulatively. He confronts legal allegations that could lead to a prohibition on government positions or potentially imprisonment, and will additionally encounter new calls for a full judicial inquiry into the failures that enabled Hamas's October attack.
Any ceasefire in Gaza is likely to be fragile, and executing thornier parts of the peace plan will be extremely difficult.
Political Survival
The critical for Netanyahu will be to persuade Israelis that he continues to be "the security expert" despite the worst security disaster in the country's history occurring on his watch. External support from key allies is expected to assist his position.
"Netanyahu is the primary narrative of this conflict ... Currently, Israel stands in the strongest security position in its history: there is no Syrian threat, Lebanese militants experienced a severe blow, and similarly Iran and Hamas. His probable message will be: security was compromised, but we responded in full force – and we defeated all of Israel's enemies," stated a strategic adviser.
Wider Electoral Landscape
Despite the costs of the war in Gaza, Israel's international isolation and internal political fractures, the overall electoral environment may still favor Netanyahu. Any opposition is divided.
"The Israeli public don't seem to have significant interest for the peacenik stuff at the moment," noted a political correspondent. "While perhaps appearing logical, the central question in Israeli politics is remains the same as it has been for a long time: support Netanyahu, or oppose Netanyahu?"
