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War weariness grips Israel after two years of conflict
Residents of Tel Aviv express exhaustion and frustration as a fragile ceasefire with Iran holds, with many questioning whether military strikes achieved their goals. Polls reveal deep divisions over whether to resume attacks or maintain the truce.
First fatality in Israel-Iran war underscores civilian toll
An Iranian missile that evaded Israel's air defenses struck a residential building in Tel Aviv six weeks ago, killing 32-year-old Filipino caregiver Mary Anne Velasquez de Vera. The attack marked the first fatality on Israeli soil during the conflict, amplifying public unease about the war's human cost.
Liat Zvi, whose apartment was damaged in the strike, voiced a sentiment shared by many Israelis: "It's depressing... we've been in war for two and a half years, and this just feels like another round."
Polls reveal skepticism over military achievements
A survey by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that two-thirds of Israelis oppose the current truce with Iran, yet most believe neither Iran nor its proxy Hezbollah have been significantly weakened by U.S. and Israeli strikes. "Despair" was the most common emotion cited by respondents, followed by "confusion" and "anger." Only a minority described feeling "hope."
The poll, conducted on April 9-10 with 1,312 participants (1,084 Jews and 228 Arabs), also showed a split on whether Israel should resume attacks on Iran: 39.5% supported continued strikes, while 41.4% favored respecting the ceasefire. Among Arab respondents, fewer than one-fifth backed resuming military action.
Jewish and Arab citizens remain deeply divided
Surveys throughout the conflict have highlighted stark differences between Israel's Jewish majority and Arab minority. A March poll by the Jewish People Policy Institute found 93% of Jewish respondents supported the war with Iran, compared to just 26% of Arab respondents. An earlier survey by the Institute of National Security Studies showed 61% of Arab citizens wanted an immediate ceasefire.
Zvi, reflecting on the truce, argued that without dismantling Iran-backed proxies, the pause in fighting "isn't worth anything." Yet a handwritten sign on her blast-damaged balcony reads, "Give Peace a Chance."
Hezbollah remains a flashpoint amid fragile negotiations
While most Israelis support excluding Lebanon from the Iran ceasefire, tensions with Hezbollah remain high. Israel, backed by the U.S., insists the group must disarm, framing the conflict as separate from the Iran standoff. However, Pakistan and Iran claim Lebanon is included in the truce, with Tehran threatening to resume attacks if Israeli strikes continue.
Direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors are set to begin Tuesday in Washington, D.C., though few expect a breakthrough. The negotiations follow reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to reduce strikes on Lebanon after pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Lebanese health ministry reports over 350 deaths-including a third women and children-from Israeli airstrikes last Wednesday. Since fighting resumed on March 2, more than 2,000 Lebanese have been killed, while Israel has lost 12 soldiers and two civilians to Hezbollah attacks.
Elections loom as Netanyahu's popularity wanes
With parliamentary elections expected in September or October, polls suggest Netanyahu's handling of the Iran conflict has eroded his support. His coalition of nationalist and religious parties holds about 40% of voter backing, matching the opposition's share. While his Likud party would likely remain the largest in the Knesset, his coalition could fall short of a majority.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has seen a slight uptick in popularity, though the political landscape remains volatile. As one resident put it, "An event six months from now is hard to compute" amid the region's rapid destabilization.
