Less than a week after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding that halted the three‑month US‑Israel war over Iran, Israel’s view of the agreement was expressed in a poll. The survey found that 92 percent of Israelis believed the United States had forfeited Israel’s victory over a decades‑old adversary. Nearly half of respondents said Israel should continue attacks on Lebanon and Hezbollah despite Washington’s calls for restraint.

Israel has fought continuous wars in the region since the Hamas‑led attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,139 people. During that period, Israeli forces have conducted operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, and have targeted the Iranian regime and its ally Hezbollah. More than 73,000 Palestinians have been reported killed in Gaza, and large areas of the territory have been destroyed.

In the Israeli parliament, support for the ongoing wars remains high across party lines. Former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot described the recent strikes on Iran as “the most just war in recent decades against the most bitter enemy,” shortly after the joint US‑Israeli attacks began. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the United States’ decision to negotiate with Tehran, calling it “one of the most shocking failures of Israel’s foreign and security policy, and it is entirely on Netanyahu’s account.”

Sociologist Daniel Bar‑Tal of Tel Aviv University said the strong reaction reflected a broader link between the Hamas attack and Israel’s collective identity, which frames the conflict in terms of historical trauma and victimhood. He noted that national goals, glorification of the Jewish nation, and the delegitimization of Palestinians have become ingrained in Israeli public consciousness.

Analyst Shaiel Ben‑Ephraim observed that few Israelis believe the country has become more secure since October 7. He said the war is driven by two forces: Israel’s immediate security concerns and a shift in public consciousness after the attack. Ben‑Ephraim added that no clear achievement is likely to end the cycle. He said that political leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have pursued a doctrine that seeks to eliminate threats before they develop, rejecting deterrence or diplomatic agreements. He warned that this approach makes future wars probable regardless of short‑term gains.

The upcoming election and Netanyahu’s corruption trial further complicate the political landscape, as none of the leading candidates have offered an alternative to the current military posture. Ben‑Ephraim concluded that only a fundamental change in strategic circumstances could alter the trajectory of the conflict.