Israeli public turns against Gaza war

[MIDDLE EAST] After more than 19 months of relentless conflict in Gaza, Israeli public opinion has shifted dramatically. Once unified in the wake of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault, a growing majority of Israelis now support ending the war, prioritizing the return of hostages and relief from mounting humanitarian and diplomatic crises over continued military operations.

War Weariness Overtakes Initial Unity

In the immediate aftermath of the October 7 attack, which left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage, there was overwhelming support for a decisive military response. However, as the conflict drags on, with over 53,000 Palestinians reported killed and Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins, Israeli society is exhibiting signs of exhaustion and disillusionment.

Recent polls reveal a striking reversal: around 70% of Israelis now favor ending the war in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages. Another survey by Israel’s Channel 12 found that 61% want the conflict to end and the hostages returned, with only 25% supporting an expansion of military operations. These numbers mark a stark departure from the early days of the war, when public backing for military action was near-unanimous.

Hostages and Humanitarian Concerns Drive Shift

The fate of the hostages remains a central concern for many Israelis. Families of those still held in Gaza have become vocal advocates for a ceasefire, arguing that continued military escalation only endangers their loved ones. Gershon Baskin, a former hostage negotiator, noted, “The vast majority of hostage families believe the war must conclude and that a resolution is necessary.”

Simultaneously, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has become impossible to ignore. United Nations agencies warn that the entire population of Gaza faces critical risk of famine, with nearly half a million people on the brink of starvation and tens of thousands of children acutely malnourished. International organizations and some Israeli voices have accused the government of wielding starvation as a weapon of war, further fueling public unease and international condemnation.

Political Divisions and Leadership Under Fire

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains steadfast, insisting that “total victory” — defined as the destruction of Hamas and the return of all hostages — is within reach. Yet, dissent within Israel’s political and military establishment is growing. Former defense officials have publicly criticized the government’s strategy, warning that Israel risks international isolation and questioning the wisdom of a campaign that has devastated Gaza while failing to achieve its stated objectives.

Yair Golan, a former deputy head of the Israel Defense Forces, warned that Israel is “on the verge of becoming a pariah state, akin to what South Africa experienced,” unless it changes course. Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the continued presence of Hamas as a “resounding failure” and accused the government of lacking a viable plan for Gaza’s future.

Dwindling Support for Occupation and Escalation

Public opinion on the future governance of Gaza is increasingly fragmented. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that just one-third of Israelis now support their country governing Gaza after the war, down from 40% in 2024. Support for direct Israeli control is highest among right-leaning Israelis but has declined sharply even within that group.

Confidence in a peaceful two-state solution has also eroded, with only 26% of Israelis now believing that coexistence with an independent Palestinian state is possible — a dramatic drop from previous years.

International Pressure and Economic Fallout

Israel’s closest allies, including the United States and European nations, have intensified calls for a ceasefire and greater humanitarian access to Gaza. Mounting reports of starvation and civilian casualties have led some U.S. lawmakers to warn that Israel is approaching a “red line” that could jeopardize critical international support.

The economic toll of the war is severe. Gaza’s economy has shrunk by 80%, with unemployment soaring and poverty deepening across the Palestinian territories. The conflict has wiped out $50 billion in investments and plunged 1.8 million people into poverty, setting back human development in the region by more than a decade.

Grassroots Protests and New Voices

Public demonstrations against the war are becoming more frequent and visible. On Sunday, hundreds of Israelis, including both Jewish and Palestinian citizens, marched toward the Gaza border demanding an end to the conflict. Organized by groups like Standing Together, these protests reflect a growing willingness among ordinary Israelis to challenge the government’s approach.

Some pro-Israel advocates, once staunch defenders of the military campaign, now use terms like “genocide” to describe the scale of destruction in Gaza. Rabbi Jay Michaelson, a columnist for the Forward, wrote, “The use of mass starvation as a military tactic? This is beyond inhuman. It is genocide.”

As the war in Gaza grinds on, Israel faces a pivotal moment. The public’s growing opposition to continued fighting, coupled with mounting humanitarian and diplomatic crises, is forcing a national reckoning over the costs and consequences of the conflict. With the majority now prioritizing the return of hostages and a negotiated end to the war, pressure is building on the government to chart a new course — one that addresses both security concerns and the urgent need for humanitarian relief.