Israel responded to the announcement of a two-week ceasefire with Iran with more unease than relief, as overnight missile fire, political criticism, and skepticism over Tehran’s intentions highlighted that the conflict remains far from resolved.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced immediate criticism from both the left and the right for failing to address core concerns, including Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities, and regional proxies, even as Israel absorbed the costs of the military campaign.
“The army carried out everything it was asked to do, the public showed extraordinary resilience, but Netanyahu failed diplomatically, failed strategically, and did not meet a single one of the goals he himself set,” opposition leader Yair Lapid said on X.
The ceasefire halted Israeli operations sooner than expected, leaving Netanyahu’s government little choice but to comply. While the U.S.-brokered agreement drew concern that it fell short of Israel’s requirements, few publicly criticized President Donald Trump, whose policies remain broadly popular in Israel.
Avigdor Lieberman, former defense minister and leader of the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party, warned that the ceasefire provides Iran an opportunity to regroup. “Should the full agreement not address Israel’s concerns about uranium enrichment, ballistic missile production, and support for terrorism in the region, we will have to return to another campaign under more difficult conditions and pay a heavier price,” he said.
Overnight exchanges of fire continued even as the ceasefire took effect, with sirens sounding from 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. The Israeli military reported a final wave of strikes targeting Iranian missile sites while adhering to the ceasefire directives from the government.
While Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif indicated that Lebanon would be included in the ceasefire, Israel clarified it would not, and its military conducted its largest strikes against Hezbollah since the current round of conflict began. Lebanese officials are seeking clarification from Pakistan regarding their status in the ceasefire.
Netanyahu’s office has issued only a brief statement in English supporting the two-week pause, without public addresses in Hebrew. Political analysts noted that demonstrating a significant weakening of Iran will be crucial for both Israel and the U.S. to validate the ceasefire and ensure compliance with nuclear and regional security demands.
Despite political tensions, life in Tel Aviv showed signs of normalcy. Residents marked the last day of Passover with religious services, family gatherings, and barbecues, while local authorities began planning to reopen schools that had been closed since the conflict escalated in late February.
