The Truce agreement with the Iranian government started eight days ago on June 24. Although those of us in Israel had just gone through almost two weeks of intense intimidation—sparking the same dread and anxiety experienced during the initial period following October 7, 2023—in classic Israeli style, many parts of the nation quickly returned to regular life, seemingly brushing aside what occurred.
For some people, this idea may appear unusual or unfamiliar.
From enduring fourteen consecutive sleepless nights, how can someone move forward? anxiety Startled by each sudden sound, caught between fixating on questions like "what more should go into my emergency backpack?" and then rising the following morning, slipping on a fresh top, and heading to work as though nothing happened—often passing right through those same subway stops where masses had camped out overnight just hours before, turning platforms into makeshift air-raid refuges?
In Israel, we simply don’t have the luxury of choosing whether or not to go about our daily lives. Terrorism may be present, but allowing fear to dictate how we live means giving up on life itself entirely.
The reality, however, is that the wounds left by conflict aren’t always obvious. While Tel Aviv might seem as lively and dynamic as ever, deep down, none of us have fully returned to what we’d call normal.
We continue to feel drained both physically and emotionally after sleepless nights. Loud noises still make us jump unexpectedly. Many among us have loved ones who're attempting to reconstruct houses destroyed completely. It remains second nature for us to look out for places to take cover during bombings whenever we move about. Parts of the urban area lie ruined following relentless rocket assaults by the ruling powers.
We might go about our daily lives pretending all is well, yet deep down we know nothing has felt normal ever since that terrible, life-altering moment when Hamas crossed our border, wreaked havoc across towns in the south and a music event, committed atrocities including burning homes, taking lives, committing acts of sexual violence against women and girls, and capturing individuals—both dead and alive—for forced detention.
Certainly, at one level, we've observed remarkable resilience from our armed forces. We've seen the complete might and extent of the IDF in action—not only confronting Hamas, but also dealing with even stronger and more threatening adversaries.
During the Hezbollah pager operation Israeli operatives successfully embedded explosives within communication equipment without detection—even under X-ray scans—demonstrating how deeply we have infiltrated Iranian-supported groups over time.
In the last two years, Israel has taken out almost all of the top Hamas operatives responsible for the events of October 7, as well as important members of Iran’s terrorist infrastructure, such as Ismail Haniyeh carried out on Iranian soil, of all places.
We may now see with unprecedented clarity that Israel possesses unquestionable military dominance—even over the leader of the so-called octopus: the Islamic Republic of Iran. Judged by any logical standard, Israel has regained the deterrent power it forfeited on October 7th.
Yet, it seems deterrence hasn't truly returned. Not when fifty captives are still held by Hamas. Not as long as Hamas maintains control over Gaza. Not while Israelis keep enduring the lasting scars of an ordeal that no military success can fully mend. What happens now?
Next steps
For Israelis, the focus is unwavering: our main objective is to return the captives safely and end this situation. war in Gaza to an end.
Hamas leaders are currently experiencing intense alarm, as reported by Israeli authorities, due to... Israel's latest military achievements vis-à-vis Iran and the fear they once inspired in people is beginning to fade.
brutal terror organization controlled Gaza for years through siphoning off assistance, stockpiling supplies, and then selling them back at exorbitant rates. However, with the introduction of a fresh internationally-supported humanitarian system—the
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
- has at last started to dismantle that control structure.
- has ultimately commenced dismantling that controlling framework.
- has now set about breaking down that authority system.
- has gradually initiated the process of undoing that power mechanism.
- has eventually launched efforts to disrupt that governance setup.
- has come to begin unraveling that command network.
- has officially kicked off actions against that ruling arrangement.
- has recently embarked upon challenging that dominance infrastructure.
- has belatedly moved forward with deconstructing that regulatory order.
- has presently taken steps toward cracking open that management regime.
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Starting from late May 2025, GHF has provided close to one million daily meals distributed directly to residents across Gaza.
Their achievements have been remarkably clear, prompting the Trump administration to commit $30 million in funding to back the initiative. Picture how different Gaza might be today if Qatar had chosen to invest $30 million every month into projects like this, rather than sending the same amount to Hamas.
Local Palestinian tribes are reportedly reaching out to the Israeli military with proposals for governing Gaza once Hamas is removed from power, according to recent reports by Israeli media outlets.
In addition, Israel seems to have made a major advancement in intelligence. Over the last several weeks, the remains of eight captives have been retrieved, marking yet another setback for Hamas' hold and further indicating their weakening control.
At the same time, the U.S. government has voiced hope regarding the potential for a ceasefire. hostage deal in the coming weeks.
Yet in Israel, we understand things aren’t so straightforward. Hamas still hasn’t agreed to critical Israeli requirements: complete oversight over the Philadelphi Corridor to stop arms trafficking, the group’s demilitarization, and the removal of its leaders from Gaza. It's unclear whether these conditions will ultimately be met.
Where we find ourselves today seems like a pivotal moment for the Middle East. There’s potential for genuine change ahead. Nations such as Saudi Arabia—and possibly Syria—may move toward normalizing relations with Israel. Should this happen, these countries could then collaborate more closely with the U.S. to combat extremism and foster peace, stability, and optimism across the area.
Picture a tomorrow in which steady Arab nations contribute authentically to enhancing the lives of Palestinians—not through financing violence or turning a blind eye, but by constructing schools, medical facilities, housing, and employment opportunities. Envision a time when Palestinians cease being tools in another's conflict and instead live as self-assured individuals enjoying respect, autonomy, and tranquility.
The future hinges on our leaders—in the West, in Israel, and across the Arab world—to take courageous and decisive action by confronting Hamas and compelling it to lay down arms.
Gaza has no prospect of freedom or peace as long as Hamas stays in control. For the international community to genuinely support the struggling population in this coastal region, it needs to face an uncomfortable reality: Palestinian liberation can only start once Hamas is defeated.
It is only at that point that both Israelis and Palestinians can start to recover from the wounds of conflict and work together toward lasting, mutual peace.
The author serves as the co-founder and chief executive officer of Social Lite Creative, a digital marketing agency with expertise in geopolitical matters.