JERUSALEM — Thursday’s ceasefire settlement between Israel and Hamas delivered a jubilant second in one of many darkest intervals of the decades-old battle between Israelis and Palestinians. However for each Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas, the deal may very well be the poison capsule that spells their downfall.
Netanyahu, who with a mixed complete of 17 years in workplace is the longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s historical past, now should deal with a day-after in Gaza that appears very totally different from the imaginative and prescient he used to woo allies and preserve his opponents at bay.
Hamas, however, faces a war-ravaged populace that was weary of its rule even earlier than the Oct. 7, 2023, assault; two years later, with greater than 67,000 killed, many extra wounded and many of the Palestinian enclave in ruins, most Gaza residents are enraged at what they view because the militant group’s reckless gamble.
Day by day life continues in war-torn Gaza as Palestinians in Deir al Balah wait on Oct. 9, 2025, for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire to take impact.
(Ali Jadallah / Anadolu / Getty Pictures)
The deal, which President Trump produced after weeks of consultations with — to not point out intense strain on — Israel and a raft of Arab and Muslim nations, brings about some measure of victory that either side can declare, particularly the swap that can see all remaining Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity exchanged for 1000’s of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Netanyahu and Hamas each trumpeted it as an achievement.
“It is a diplomatic success and a nationwide and ethical victory for the State of Israel,” Netanyahu wrote Thursday on X, crediting the breakthrough to “steadfast resolve, highly effective army motion,” together with Trump’s efforts.
Hamas, in the meantime, stated in an announcement that the deal was a results of the “steadfastness of the Palestinian individuals” and its “Resistance,” a reference to the Palestinian factions.
But these victories might hardly be known as full.
Netanyahu had promised Hamas wouldn’t solely be defeated but additionally vanquished, with its arsenal eliminated. He has additionally made it his long-running mission to make sure no Palestinian state arises — one thing he hoped to realize by conquering Gaza and annexing the West Financial institution.
College students and supporters of the Jamaat-e-Islami political social gathering collect to precise their solidarity with Palestinians throughout an anti-Israel protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Oct. 9, 2025.
(Aamir Qureshi / AFP/Getty Pictures)
As an alternative, the Israeli army has stopped its offensive with the destiny of Hamas’ weapons nonetheless unclear, and Trump lately stated he’ll “not permit” Israel to annex the West Financial institution.
Additionally, Trump’s 20-point plan not solely put the kibosh on the notion of deporting Gaza residents but additionally inspired them to remain. And Netanyahu was pressured to simply accept the prospect of a Palestinian state only some days after a fire-and-brimstone speech on the United Nations rejecting any such factor.
Already, the coalition he depends on to stay in energy is exhibiting fractures, with extremist figures representing settler pursuits expressing their anger that Netanyahu didn’t keep the course and proceed combating.
His opponents, in the meantime, see the battle’s finish as their likelihood to oust him. And his critics amongst Israeli voters — elections are slated for October 2026 — should not solely set to reject him on the poll field, but additionally excise anybody related along with his management.
On the so-called Hostage Sq. in Tel Aviv on Thursday, Israelis demonstrated a few of that rage. When Benny Gantz, an Israeli opposition chief who served in Netanyahu’s Cupboard till final 12 months walked via the gang, hecklers shouted at him “to go house,” accusing him of claiming successful he had not earned.
“When the battle started, Gantz joined Bibi and saved him as a substitute of bringing down his authorities,” stated Einat Mastbaum, a 50-year-old Hebrew trainer, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. These actions, she stated, saved Netanyahu’s authorities in place and extended the hostages’ ordeal.
Udi Goren, 44, whose cousin Tal Haimi was killed Oct. 7, 2023, stated Israel wanted new faces to impact change many Israelis demand after this battle.
“Now could be the time for us — Israelis and Palestinians — to help a greater future, to draft a brand new narrative for ourselves,” he stated. “After what we’ve been via these previous two years, we don’t need this to occur once more.”
Einav Zangauker, in a blue shirt, the mom of hostage Matan Zangauker, celebrates as individuals react to information of the Israel-Hamas peace deal on the so-called Hostage Sq. in Tel Aviv on Oct. 9, 2025.
(Chris McGrath / Getty Pictures)
But it could be silly to low cost Netanyahu, a consummate politician in Israel’s political panorama who has proved repeatedly his skill to gauge the nationwide temper and rebound from setbacks, together with a protracted corruption trial he has efficiently postponed all through the battle, and an warrant from the Worldwide Felony Courtroom.
Although his declare of completely defeating Hamas falls brief, he can nonetheless rightly level to having left Israel the indeniable hegemon within the area, whether or not by decimating the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah or by dealing a crippling blow to Iran. If the deal’s implementation continues easily, he might also handle to increase normalization agreements to different Arab nations, together with Saudi Arabia. Polls, in the meantime, present he’s recovered his reputation after taking a success within the days after the Oct. 7 assault.
And the deal “will enhance him,” stated Dahlia Scheindlin, a public opinion researcher in Israel.
“It is going to make him appear to be he’s the one one within the nation who might work so properly with Trump.”
“He’s way more well-liked at the moment than he was 5 days in the past,” Trump stated on the White Home.
Hamas’ scenario seems extra difficult. It has stated it is going to play no position in Gaza’s future governance — a key Israeli and American demand. However its principal rival within the Palestinian Authority, which ruled Gaza till Hamas prevailed in elections in 2006, is considered by many Palestinians as hopelessly corrupt, to not point out downright traitorous due to its safety coordination with Israel, which has seen authority forces assault anti-Israel Palestinian resistance teams and activists.
On the identical time, the notion of Hamas having any energy appears untenable.
“They dragged all of Gaza into the fireplace. Our properties, our jobs, our futures had been all destroyed due to reckless selections,” stated Nidal Laqqan, 37, a former service provider from Khan Yunis who has been displaced for the final two years.
He stated that many individuals he is aware of really feel the identical means.
“Persons are indignant. This was an uncalculated journey,” he stated. “We want a brand new Palestinian management that places our pursuits first. No extra army steps taken with out pondering of the individuals who pays the worth.”
Particular correspondent Bilal Shbeir in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, contributed to this report.
