Opinion: To rebuild trust, Israel must shift from explaining policies to telling human stories, the faces of victims, the voices of hostages and the truth of October 7

Israel will celebrate the return of the hostages, but must heed local realities; three key lessons emerge from the current situation 

Both Israel and Hamas can claim victory in the new deal, each achieving significant gains but falling short of their goals; without completing Trump’s peace plan, however, the agreement is likely to be only temporary

Opinion: Israel’s new deal with Hamas offers short-term relief and regional openings, but without strong verification, enforcement, and conditional reconstruction, it risks becoming a pause that empowers Hamas and sets the stage for the next round of conflict.