After 40 days of combat with Iran and a parallel clash with Hezbollah, Israel’s streets are clearing, schools reopening and traffic snarling again. Yet surveys reveal a stark mood shift: citizens question whether any strategic gains materialised. Senior officials were killed, but the Iranian regime remains intact, and its nuclear and missile programmes persist. Public confidence in the war’s outcome is waning.

Two polls released Sunday paint a bleak picture. The Institute for National Security Studies found only one‑third of Israelis believe they can act independently when U.S. and Israeli assessments diverge. An Agam‑Hebrew University survey shows 70% view the cease‑fire as a U.S. concession to Tehran, and twice as many label the war a failure rather than a victory.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, noting Iran’s missile stockpile is shrinking but not eliminated. The mixed messaging fuels investor unease, as defense contractors anticipate uncertain procurement cycles and regional markets brace for prolonged tension. The prevailing sentiment is that the conflict delivered little tangible security benefit. Companies like Elbit and Rafael may face delayed orders as policymakers reassess threat levels.