Netanyahu under fire as war widens and his record unravels

The bombs have not stopped — and neither has the scrutiny. As a fragile ceasefire flickers into life across parts of the Middle East, Israel’s prime minister is facing a harsher spotlight than at any point in this war. The charge: that years of hardline strategy have delivered neither security nor stability, only escalation at staggering cost.

Ceasefire in Name Only

Washington declared a breakthrough. Tehran signalled cautious assent. But within hours, Israeli jets were back over Lebanon, unleashing one of the most intense bombardments in recent memory.

The contradiction is stark. While diplomatic channels strain toward de-escalation, Israel is pressing ahead militarily, insisting its campaign against Hezbollah sits outside the ceasefire framework. Others dispute that — and the gap is fast becoming a fault line.

A Strategy Under Strain

At the heart of the crisis lies a familiar doctrine: overwhelming force as the guarantor of security. It is the defining principle of Netanyahu’s long tenure — and now its results are under forensic examination.

Hamas was meant to be crushed. It wasn’t. Hezbollah was declared neutralised. It wasn’t. Iran’s nuclear threat was said to be “obliterated”. It has re-emerged, largely intact.

Each campaign has followed the same arc: early claims of decisive victory, followed by the slow return of the threat it was meant to eliminate.

Pressure Mounts at Home

For years, Netanyahu’s domestic reputation rested on one pillar — security. That claim took a devastating hit with the October 2023 attacks, the deadliest in Israel’s history, unfolding on his watch.

Now, with elections looming, the question is unavoidable: what has been achieved since? Tens of thousands displaced, prolonged conflict on multiple fronts, and a population once again living under fire.

Diplomacy Deferred, Costs Rising

Critics argue the deeper failure is political, not military. Tactical gains have not been converted into lasting settlements. Opportunities for diplomacy — particularly with regional actors opposed to militant groups — have gone largely unexplored.

Instead, the cycle repeats: strike, degrade, regroup — and strike again.

A Narrowing Path Forward

Internationally, Israel’s standing has eroded sharply. Domestically, fatigue is setting in. Yet the political alternatives remain fragmented, with rivals often promising the same strategy, executed differently.

That leaves a central dilemma unresolved. If force alone cannot secure lasting peace, the next phase will demand a different approach — one that has so far remained out of reach.

Netanyahu-ism has achieved nothing for Israelis – and come at a monstrously high price