Allies and analysts say that after months of political turmoil, war and plummeting popularity, Israel’s powerful strike on Iran is likely to reframe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s legacy, Reuters reports.

During a 12-day air assault ordered by Netanyahu, Israel bombed nuclear sites deep inside Iran, eliminated many of its arch foe’s top military commanders and scientists, and targeted multiple missile facilities across the country.

Both nations agreed to a ceasefire today and although they accused each other of violating the deal in the hours after it was announced, Netanyahu was swift to claim total victory.

The jubilant tone was a far cry from October 7, 2023, when a surprise attack by Hamas out of Gaza handed Israel the deadliest security failure in its history, dealing a devastating blow to Netanyahu’s carefully crafted reputation as the nation’s guardian and triggering a collapse in his public support.

Netanyahu’s recent rhetoric has “completely erased October 7th. He’s just talking about Iran”, said Dr Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at Hebrew University.

However, the fighting against Hamas in Gaza is still grinding on, a constant reminder of the 2023 blunders, and pressure is likely to build quickly on Netanyahu to reach a deal that will end the fighting and secure the release of all remaining hostages.

“A comprehensive agreement to return all the hostages is the call of the moment,” said Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is among the 20 hostages in Gaza still believed to be alive.

“The annals of history are being written now, one chapter is still missing, the chapter of October 7. Netanyahu, it’s up to you,” she wrote on X.

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