Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has called for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has persisted for over 20 months. His remarks come amid increasing pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cease hostilities. Following a swift conclusion to Israel’s recent war with Iran, prominent figures, including US President Donald Trump and former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, have urged Netanyahu to seek a similar resolution in the battle against Hamas.
During a meeting with lawmakers from his parliamentary group, Lapid asserted, “There is no longer any benefit for the State of Israel from continuing the war in Gaza. Only damage on the security, political, and economic level.” He emphasized that the Israeli military’s position aligns with his own, reflecting a growing sentiment that the current strategy may no longer serve the nation’s interests.
Lapid highlighted comments made by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who advised that political leaders need to determine the next objectives for the military, implying a lack of clear goals in the ongoing conflict. The violence was ignited by an unprecedented attack from Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,219 individuals, predominantly civilians, based on reports from Israeli authorities.
Despite Israel’s commitment to eradicating Hamas, the group remains entrenched in Gaza after more than a year and a half of warfare. Lapid suggested that a solution could involve establishing an alternative governing body in Gaza with the assistance of Egypt and other Arab nations.
Recent public opinion polls reveal a significant shift in the Israeli populace’s sentiment, with nearly two-thirds of respondents indicating a desire for the Gaza conflict to come to a close. Following the ceasefire with Iran, Israel’s military leadership signaled that efforts would be refocused on Gaza, while Netanyahu claimed that triumph in the Iran campaign has opened new avenues for resolving issues, including the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
The Prime Minister expressed optimism about achieving objectives related to both hostages and Hamas. On October 7, the same day Hamas launched its attack, militants captured 251 hostages, with 49 still believed to be held in Gaza, including 27 who the Israeli military reports are deceased. The retaliatory strikes conducted by Israel in response to Hamas’s assault have reportedly claimed the lives of over 56,531 individuals in Gaza, primarily civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The United Nations has deemed these casualty figures as credible.
