Israel greets Iran ceasefire with more unease than relief

Critics on the left and right say the truce leaves Israel’s core concerns unresolved, even as Trump hails a new opening for the region.

People hanging out after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire with Iran, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. | Oded Balilty/AP

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel greeted the Iran ceasefire with more unease than relief, as overnight missile fire, sharp political backlash and deep skepticism about Tehran’s intentions reinforced a broad sense that the conflict is paused, but far from resolved.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced swift criticism from political opponents on the left and right, who slammed the Israeli premier for failing to eliminate the core threats posed by Iran’s nuclear program, missile arsenal and regional proxies even as Israel absorbed the costs of the campaign.

“The army carried out everything it was asked to do, the public showed extraordinary resilience, but Netanyahu failed diplomatically, failed strategically, and did not meet a single one of the goals he himself set,” opposition leader Yair Lapid said in a post on X.

© Politico