Highlights: Israel has announced the withdrawal of its troops from the south of the Gaza Strip. Despite its clear military superiority, the Israeli army still cannot achieve its main war objectives. This mixed result divides Israeli society. Protest movements are demanding the departure of those in power. The government must present an electoral calendar to regain the confidence of the population, says Emmanuel Navon, professor of international relations at Tel Aviv University. On Sunday evening, thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem. They hold Benjamin Netanyahu's government responsible for the security failure of October 7.

War in Gaza: despite the army's announcements, Israeli society is losing patience

As the war in Gaza enters its seventh month, Israel has announced the withdrawal of its troops from the south of the enclave. Strategic redeployment, pause, international pressures... It is difficult to say with certainty what motivates this decision, but despite its clear military superiority, the Israeli army still cannot achieve its main war objectives.

Israeli protesters during a rally marking the sixth month since the start of the war, in front of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, in Jerusalem, Sunday, April 7, 2024. AP - Leo Correa

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Jerusalem,

Sami Boukhelifa

Israel's number one war objective: eradicate Hamas. The Palestinian armed group is weakened.

But he is far from beaten

. Objective number two: the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Only three were freed during rescue operations carried out by Israeli special forces. The more than 100 hostages released at the end of November were released thanks to negotiations.

Read alsoThe Israeli army announces the withdrawal of its troops from the south of the Gaza Strip

According to Emmanuel Navon, professor of international relations at Tel Aviv University, the Israeli war objectives were certainly justified, but too ambitious. “

Hamas today is no longer in a position to threaten Israel as it was six months ago,”

he explains.

But Yahya Sinouar, its leader, has still not been eliminated. And Hamas still has residual control of the city of Rafah. From this point of view, the military objective was not completely, but partially achieved. Same thing for the hostages, the objective is only partially achieved.

Protests in Israel

This mixed result divides Israeli society. Protest movements are demanding the departure of those in power. According to Emmanuel Navon, the government must present an electoral calendar to regain the confidence of the population. “

It is unthinkable at this stage to continue the war indefinitely, without there being a renewal of a popular mandate for a new government, which will benefit from broad support from the Israeli population

,” believes he.

On Sunday evening, thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem. They hold Benjamin Netanyahu's government "

responsible for the security failure of October 7." And to have abandoned the hostages held in Gaza

War in Gaza: despite the army's announcements, Israeli society is losing patience

War in Gaza: despite the army's announcements, Israeli society is losing patience

Protests in Israel

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