Commentary

Sometimes "madman foreign policy" actually works.

Current government lacks mandate and credibility to capitalize on strategic opportunities with new US administration.

Israel must learn from its failure to defeat Hamas and Hezbollah, and find a way – combining military and diplomatic moves – to prevent the return of threats from Gaza and Lebanon.

Unlike past deals made when terror groups held assets, Hamas enters this agreement battered and beaten. The challenge will be withstanding external pressures and preventing the organization from recovering.

The sole reason Netanyahu signed the deal was Trump. In America on the eve of his inauguration, where it feels as if the entire world is bowing to the new-old president, it’s clear why Israel took this step. Yet, it is still unacceptable that the promise of 'total victory' ends as an embarrassing surrender deal.

The hostages are not mere “bargaining chips.” If you speak about a hostage release as though these are not your family members, then you fundamentally don’t understand Israelis.

The landmark agreement brokered in Qatar marks the beginning of a comprehensive diplomatic initiative reshaping US-Israel relations.

This scenario is comparable to the United States allowing Guantanamo detainees to disperse along its borders with Canada and Mexico a year after 9/11, or permitting them to join Taliban forces against US troops in Afghanistan – a notion that defies strategic logic.

Israel effectively concedes key war objective, potentially compromising goals of dismantling Hamas and securing border regions.

Rivalry intensifies as both administrations vie for credit.