Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Israel-Hamas / Don’t bet on a Gaza ceasefire
Israel‑Hamas, Israel, Israel‑Iran, Middle East

July 3, 2025

Don’t bet on a Gaza ceasefire

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is riding high. His decision to short-circuit U.S. diplomacy with Tehran by bombing Iran’s nuclear sites, coupled with his successful attempt to enlist President Donald Trump in the effort, has paid off considerably for him over the short term. A final battle damage assessment notwithstanding, there’s no question that Iran’s main nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan were seriously damaged. Iran’s nuclear industrial base took a hit as well, with at least 10 of its nuclear scientists killed during the 12-day air campaign. The entire effort has given Netanyahu—who has been fighting for his political life since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack severely degraded his “Mr. Security” persona—a new lease on life.

Netanyahu’s short rise in the polls has generated a bevy of speculation that the prime minister now possesses the political flexibility to finally end the nearly 21-month-long war in Gaza, which can charitably be described as a long slog with an unclear end-point. President Trump added more speculation to the pile Tuesday, when he alleged that Israel “agreed to the necessary conditions” for a 60-day truce. Senior Israeli officials have claimed that denting Iran’s military power has opened up new possibilities for Israeli foreign policy in the Middle East. Netanyahu himself has teased the “many opportunities” that have been created now that Tehran has been dealt with. The Israeli premier’s meeting with the U.S. at the White House next week, and Trump’s call on Truth Social to end the war in Gaza with a ceasefire deal that releases hostages, is only adding to the anticipation.

So, is a groundbreaking deal on Gaza really in sight?

Read at The American Conservative

More on Middle East

op-edIsrael‑Iran, Iran, Israel, Middle East

What lessons are foreign leaders taking from Donald Trump’s Iran bombing?

By Daniel DePetris

July 1, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia

There is no ‘axis of autocracy’

By Daniel DePetris

July 1, 2025

op-edSyria, Iran, Israel, Middle East

How Trump’s Syria policy impacts Iran, Hezbollah, and Israel

By Alexander Langlois

June 29, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Iran, Basing and force posture, Middle East

The Iran strike shows we don’t need bases in the Middle East

By Jennifer Kavanagh and Dan Caldwell

June 28, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Americas, China, Iran, Middle East, Russia

How not to do multipolarity

By Anthony Constantini

June 28, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Iran, Iran, Israel, Middle East

The real obstacle to peace with Iran

By Rosemary Kelanic and Jennifer Kavanagh

June 25, 2025

Events on Israel-Hamas

See All Events
virtualMiddle East, Basing and force posture, Diplomacy, Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Military analysis, Syria

Past Virtual Event: Trump in the Middle East: Impacts, implications, and alternatives

May 16, 2025
virtualHouthis, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Middle East, Yemen

Past Virtual Event: Houthi conundrum: defend, degrade, or defer

March 28, 2024
virtualMiddle East, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Israel‑Iran, Syria, Yemen

Past Virtual Event: Keeping the U.S. out of war in the Middle East

January 16, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved