After twelve days of intense strikes between Israel and Iran – punctuated by the United States’ bombing of Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend and Tehran’s performative retaliation – a US-brokered ceasefire appeared to be holding on Tuesday.

It’s not just a diminished Iran and its impact on Hamas that gives hostage families hope. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, riding a wave of public support for the Iran war and its achievements, could feel he has more space to move toward ending the war in Gaza, something his far-right governing partners oppose.

Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to bask in the glow of Israel’s military success in Iran. Now he must turn his attention back to Gaza, a war in which the major strategic victories are far harder to find.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to attack Iran for decades, but the U.S. and his own security chiefs deterred him. Now he's basking in the moment.

Israel Hayom newspaper, quoting an unnamed source, said Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed in a phone call this week on a rapid end to the war in Gaza, perhaps within two weeks. Israel Hayom said the deal could expand the Abraham Accords with Israel's Arab neighbours to include Saudi Arabia and Syria.