Israelis war-weary but most oppose Iran ceasefire, poll suggests

Israelis Fatigued by Conflict, Yet Most Reject Iran Ceasefire, Poll Indicates

Liat Zvi stands beside the shattered windows and cracked walls of her Tel Aviv apartment, expressing the growing frustration many Israelis feel. “It’s exhausting… two and a half years of war, and this feels like another cycle,” she admits. Six weeks prior, her neighborhood was targeted in an Iranian retaliation against US-Israeli strikes. A missile bypassed Israel’s layered air defenses and struck a residential building, killing 32-year-old Filipino carer Mary Anne Velasquez de Vera. This marked the first civilian death in the conflict with Iran, which is currently on a fragile pause.

A recent survey by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem highlights widespread weariness among Israelis. However, it also reveals that two-thirds still support the tentative truce between Washington and Tehran. The majority of respondents believe neither Iran nor Hezbollah in Lebanon have been significantly weakened by the recent bombardments. When asked to describe their current emotions, a third cited “despair,” followed by “confusion” and “anger,” with “hope” ranking fourth.

“If we don’t eliminate Iran’s proxies here, the ceasefire is meaningless,” Zvi says, reflecting on the broader conflict. “You have to arrive at the negotiation table as strong as possible.”

Despite this, the poll suggests a divide on whether Israel should continue striking Iran. While 39.5% advocate for ongoing attacks, 41.4% favor respecting the truce. The survey reached 1,312 Israelis, including 1,084 Jews and 228 Arabs, representing the general population. Arab respondents were notably less supportive of resuming strikes, with fewer than a fifth backing the action.

Netanyahu’s initial war objectives included dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, eradicating its ballistic missile capabilities, and achieving regime change. He now claims “huge victories,” insisting Israel has reshaped the Middle East. Critics argue these goals remain unmet. The conflict has also left many questioning its impact on national security.

When it comes to Hezbollah, the sentiment shifts. Zvi emphasizes that peace must wait until the group relinquishes its weapons. “Most Israelis don’t want the Lebanon war to end unless Hezbollah gives up their arms,” she explains. This view aligns with the survey’s findings, showing broad agreement that Lebanon should not be part of an Iran ceasefire.

Israel, supported by the US, frames the Hezbollah fight as a separate challenge. The threat from the group on the northern border, they argue, demands continued action. However, the deal brokered by Pakistan included Lebanon, with Iran threatening to escalate if strikes continue. Direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington DC are set for Tuesday, but few expect them to lead to immediate progress.

Netanyahu reportedly agreed to the negotiations after President Trump urged him to reduce attacks on Lebanon following the Iran ceasefire. The Lebanese health ministry reported over 350 deaths, including a third who were women and children, in the air strikes that began the previous Wednesday. The toll underscores the human cost of the ongoing tensions, even as political factions debate the path forward.