Patrick Kingsley

And if at least some of those hostages can be released, it counts as a kind of redemption, not only for the hostages themselves, but for Israelis across the political spectrum. Longer term, if the deal holds and Netanyahu decides to continue it and to nudge it towards something permanent, then it could severely destabilize his own coalition government. He is in power in part through the support of

And if at least some of those hostages can be released, it counts as a kind of redemption, not only for the hostages themselves, but for Israelis across the political spectrum. Longer term, if the deal holds and Netanyahu decides to continue it and to nudge it towards something permanent, then it could severely destabilize his own coalition government. He is in power in part through the support of

several far-right ministers and lawmakers who deeply oppose ending the war with Hamas still in power, even if that means leaving some hostages inside Gaza. So if he does agree to take this from a six-week deal into a longer arrangement, they could leave his coalition potentially

several far-right ministers and lawmakers who deeply oppose ending the war with Hamas still in power, even if that means leaving some hostages inside Gaza. So if he does agree to take this from a six-week deal into a longer arrangement, they could leave his coalition potentially

destabilizing it or maybe even collapsing it, which could lead to early elections and perhaps, depending on the results of those elections, a transition of power within Israeli society. So short term, this brings relief and joy for Israelis as well as people in Gaza.

destabilizing it or maybe even collapsing it, which could lead to early elections and perhaps, depending on the results of those elections, a transition of power within Israeli society. So short term, this brings relief and joy for Israelis as well as people in Gaza.

In the long term, it could deepen some of the divides that we've seen split Israeli society for many different reasons in recent years.

In the long term, it could deepen some of the divides that we've seen split Israeli society for many different reasons in recent years.

Yes and no. In reputational terms, Israel has dealt itself damage by the way it has been perceived to conduct this war. It is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, are wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

Yes and no. In reputational terms, Israel has dealt itself damage by the way it has been perceived to conduct this war. It is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, are wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

there has been criticism of Israel almost like never before as a result of the way it's conducted its war in Gaza. And in that sense, you could argue it has lost or it has at least lost ground in a diplomatic war, a war for legitimacy and a war for reputation.

there has been criticism of Israel almost like never before as a result of the way it's conducted its war in Gaza. And in that sense, you could argue it has lost or it has at least lost ground in a diplomatic war, a war for legitimacy and a war for reputation.

So Israel depends on international support for at least some of its actions. It depends on American funds and American military resources, ammunition, fighter jets, in order to wage its wars. And within the Middle East, it depends on good relations with the Arab world in order to cement its long-term status within the region.

So Israel depends on international support for at least some of its actions. It depends on American funds and American military resources, ammunition, fighter jets, in order to wage its wars. And within the Middle East, it depends on good relations with the Arab world in order to cement its long-term status within the region.

Before the war, Israel was close to forging a landmark diplomatic deal between itself and Saudi Arabia, the most influential country in the Arab world. The war put those negotiations on ice and, in fact, made it much harder for Saudi Arabia to be seen to be doing a deal with a country that many people in the Arab world believe is committing a genocide against Palestinians.

Before the war, Israel was close to forging a landmark diplomatic deal between itself and Saudi Arabia, the most influential country in the Arab world. The war put those negotiations on ice and, in fact, made it much harder for Saudi Arabia to be seen to be doing a deal with a country that many people in the Arab world believe is committing a genocide against Palestinians.

And if the war ends, Israelis will hope that they can get those negotiations back on track. But militarily, yes, as you say, Israel has weakened Hamas, they've weakened Hezbollah. They have weakened Iran. And all of those battles contributed, at least in some part, to the collapse of Iran's ally, the Syrian government.

And if the war ends, Israelis will hope that they can get those negotiations back on track. But militarily, yes, as you say, Israel has weakened Hamas, they've weakened Hezbollah. They have weakened Iran. And all of those battles contributed, at least in some part, to the collapse of Iran's ally, the Syrian government.

And so Israel, despite all its internal divisions, has proved itself as the region's strongest military power. It means, or at least Israelis will hope it means, whatever reputational loss Israel has suffered because of the conduct of its war in Gaza, both in the Middle East and across the world. It is simply too powerful militarily to be wished away.

And so Israel, despite all its internal divisions, has proved itself as the region's strongest military power. It means, or at least Israelis will hope it means, whatever reputational loss Israel has suffered because of the conduct of its war in Gaza, both in the Middle East and across the world. It is simply too powerful militarily to be wished away.