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HomeWorldIsrael Opposition Leader Urges End to Gaza War Following Iran Ceasefire

Israel Opposition Leader Urges End to Gaza War Following Iran Ceasefire

Israel’s opposition leader has stepped into the spotlight, urging an end to the prolonged Gaza war now that Israel and Iran have announced a ceasefire. With more than 20 months of conflict behind them, the call for peace echoes louder than ever as regional dynamics shift.

Yair Lapid, head of the main opposition, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday to demand an immediate halt to operations in Gaza. “And now Gaza. It’s time to finish it there too. Bring back the hostages, end the war,” Yair Lapid wrote, capturing the sentiment of weary Israelis tired of endless bloodshed. His message came just hours after government officials confirmed that Israel, following former US President Donald Trump’s announcement, had entered a bilateral ceasefire with Iran—an accord that ended a grueling 12‑day exchange of missiles and air strikes .

The ceasefire was widely publicised by Trump, who declared via Truth Social on Tuesday morning that the truce with Iran was “NOW IN EFFECT,” with Iran ceasing hostilities first, followed 12 hours later by Israel. Israel’s cabinet echoed that claim, stating in an official release that it had “achieved all objectives of Operation ‘Rising Lion’,” eliminating an “immediate dual existential threat: nuclear and ballistic,” and that it would respond firmly to any violations of the ceasefire.

But Lapid’s plea makes clear that the conflict in Gaza remains unresolved, even as attention shifts to Iran. He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring hostages home and end the more than 600‑day Gaza operation—now the longest war in Israel’s modern history . His call underscores a growing impatience among Israelis, many of whom feel the focus on Iran shouldn’t delay progress toward peace in Gaza.

Lapid’s statement also taps into broader fatigue: families separated, rockets launched, tunnels uncovered, international pressure mounting. Independent polls increasingly suggest that a significant portion of the Israeli public is ready for a ceasefire—if hostages return and Gaza’s suffering is addressed. Lapid’s demand puts fresh pressure on Netanyahu’s government, which has weathered this storm by stressing security threats and refusing to set a clear end‑date.

While the Iran‑Israel truce temporarily reduced tensions on one front, Gaza remains a tinderbox. Lapid’s intervention may mark a turning point in domestic politics, centering Gaza again as a priority—especially now that rockets from Iran have subsided and global attention is available for a Gaza ceasefire .

International voices are also joining the chorus. UN officials, aid agencies, and regional leaders have called for a Gaza ceasefire to coincide with hostage releases. Gulf partners like Qatar and Egypt, long intermediaries, could now amplify Lapid’s call in negotiation talks. Whether that international backing shifts Netanyahu’s calculations remains to be seen.

On the ground, Gazans still face relentless shelling, humanitarian shortages, and shattered infrastructure. The ceasefire with Iran may offer a glimmer of hope, but Lapid is reminding us that without a similar deal in Gaza, the cycle of violence risks continuing indefinitely.

His public challenge to the government—“Bring back the hostages, end the war”—resonates deeply. It brings a renewed sense of urgency to what many hoped would be a conclusion through Iran’s ceasefire. Whether that will push peace into reality in Gaza depends on political will, diplomatic pressure, and sustained attention. For now, Lapid’s voice has rekindled a much‑needed conversation in Israel—and with it, the hope that the end might finally be in sight.

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