The assault on Gaza, combined with a sense of stagnation in the fighting and high casualties in areas previously controlled by the Israeli occupation forces, has resulted in a significant drop in the Israeli public's perception of the army's achievements 7 months into the war, the Israeli "Institute for National Security Studies" (INSS), revealed. 

Doubts about the war's aim and direction, as well as the failure to return captives, all contribute to the decline in trust. According to INSS's "Swords of Iron" study for May, just 34% of Israeli settlers are very happy with the IOF's operations in Gaza.

This represents a considerable decline from November when the number stood at 52%. There is also a drop in the public's sense of triumph, with just 61% of respondents in May saying they are certain or believe the IOF would prevail in Gaza, compared to 92% in October. The poll results also suggest a decrease in support for the war's objectives and the chance of reaching them.

While 84% of the settlers voiced strong support for eradicating Hamas as the war's aim before the start of the onslaught, just 61% of those polled in May expressed the same. 

Furthermore, 46% of the general population feels that the war's objectives will be met either partially or not at all.

Finally, in what seems like a split in Israeli opinion on the war, 57% of Israelis believe or are certain that the Israeli occupation is not taking appropriate measures to release captives.

Tzachi Hanegbi, the "National Security Advisor" to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Israeli Kan public radio that the war is expected to continue throughout 2024.

"The fighting in Gaza will continue for at least another seven months,” he explained.

Related News

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

Israeli settlers storm al-Aqsa compound, IOF detain al-Khalil mayor

The Israeli occupation army launched an invasion into densely populated Rafah earlier this month, which coincided with the shutting down of the only two crossings delivering aid to southern Gaza; the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem crossings.

According to Netanyahu and top Israeli military officials, taking control of Rafah is essential to secure "absolute victory" in the genocidal war now nearing its eighth-month mark.

Perspectives on Israeli defeat in Gaza: The Jerusalem Post

The outcomes of the ongoing war for both "Israel" and the Palestinian Resistance are examined in an article published in The Jerusalem Post, which argues that while "Israel" suffered losses, interpreting "winning" depends on perspective.

Some argue that the Palestinian Resistance, represented primarily by Hamas, achieved success through actions such as infiltrating Israeli military bases and drawing international attention back to the Palestinian cause, as per the piece.

Despite substantial Israeli military efforts targeting "high-ranking" leaders and infrastructure, Hamas persists in Gaza, it stressed.

As per the article, this persistence, coupled with the international ramifications of the struggle, poses challenges to "Israel's" diplomatic standing and strategic alliances by turning the Israeli regime into a pariah actor, notably with so-called "moderate" Arab nations.

The debate over "Israel's" pursuit of its goals amid the struggle's complexities prompts considerations for a potential shift in approach, the article argued.

Critics suggest, as per the article, that "Israel's" current leadership, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, faces constraints from hardline elements within the government, hindering efforts for resolution.

Calls for new leadership echo the need for a pragmatic strategy to navigate the aftermath of the war, focusing on salvaging what is possible and reshaping "Israel's" global image that has been extensively damaged by the war, it stressed.