A day that began with the jubilant return of 20 Israeli hostages and talk of a new diplomatic dawn for the Middle East quickly descended into a showcase of political friction and missed opportunities. Fueled by a high-profile visit from U.S. President Donald Trump, a brief but powerful wave of optimism suggested the end of the Gaza war could unlock historic regional agreements. However, the hope proved fleeting. A planned regional summit in Sharm el-Sheikh faltered after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to attend, citing a holiday but widely believed to be wary of backlash from his right-wing allies. Compounding the setback, a landmark visit by Indonesia’s president was abruptly canceled following a premature leak, extinguishing a key diplomatic prospect before it could even begin.
While the return of the hostages is being framed as a crucial step toward national healing, it is this precarious political moment that is drawing intense scrutiny. According to a detailed analysis in the Haaretz, the conflict's conclusion presents Israel with both unprecedented opportunities for normalization and significant internal political risks. The delicate diplomatic dance—and its immediate stumbles—was immediately apparent as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to balance these prospects against the demands of his hardline coalition partners.
Unforgettable images of joy and reunion filled the airwaves: Omri Miran playing with his two daughters for the first time in months; Einav Zangauker finally embracing her son, Matan. Yet, the process remains incomplete. Officials report that Hamas is struggling to locate the 24 remaining bodies of fallen Israelis, prolonging the anguish for dozens of families. Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, a key negotiator, stated that the hostages' return "marks the beginning of Israel's recovery and renewal as a society," even as the nation grapples with the unresolved cases.
The diplomatic landscape is being reshaped under heavy pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who arrived in Israel declaring the war "over" and Israel the victor. During a powerful speech at the Knesset, Trump urged Israel to "reap the fruits" of victory by pursuing normalization agreements with more Arab and Muslim nations. However, the swift collapse of both the Sharm el-Sheikh summit and the Indonesian visit demonstrated the fragility of these ambitions when faced with regional sensitivities and domestic Israeli politics.
At the heart of the unfolding drama is Netanyahu's political dilemma. He faces the tempting prospect of historic diplomatic and economic gains, strongly encouraged by Washington, versus the ideological demands of his far-right coalition partners who opposed the hostage deal. This tension was starkly highlighted during Trump's Knesset address, where the U.S. president lavished praise on Netanyahu and made an extraordinary call for President Isaac Herzog to pardon him in his ongoing corruption trial. As Israel looks toward a post-war future, its path will be defined by its ability to navigate these competing pressures and decide whether to embrace diplomatic risk or retreat into familiar political battle lines.
Photo: The source