Iran war cease-fire update with Amos Harel: 'Trump wants out and Netanyahu is extremely disappointed'

The Haaretz podcast examines the sudden ceasefire in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, announced during the early hours of Wednesday, April 9, 2026, after 40 days of intense missile attacks and military escalation. The temporary two-week truce, brokered by Pakistan and backed by President Trump, halts hostilities pending negotiations on a long-term agreement. However, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu remains silent, leaving citizens confused and disillusioned. Senior defense analyst Amos Harel delivers a critical assessment, calling the outcome 'extremely disappointing' despite military success, as key strategic goals—such as dismantling Iran’s nuclear program or weakening its missile capabilities—remain unmet. Harel emphasizes that Trump’s pivot from threats of 'wiping out a civilization' to a diplomatic ceasefire reveals his desire to exit the conflict, while Netanyahu seeks to maintain wartime momentum to shield himself politically. The situation in Lebanon remains volatile, with Israel conducting heavy strikes on Hezbollah despite the ceasefire’s apparent exclusion of the northern front, raising concerns about U.S. tolerance and regional stability. Harel argues that the war’s cost—both human and geopolitical—outweighs its gains, particularly as Iran’s regime remains intact and U.S. public opinion, even among Trump supporters, is turning against the conflict. A damaging New York Times report implicates Netanyahu in pushing Trump toward unrealistic regime-change scenarios, potentially undermining Israel’s standing in America. With the ceasefire deadline coinciding with Israel’s Independence Day, tensions are expected to rise. Harel concludes that while the war may have inflicted significant damage on Iran, it has not achieved its stated objectives, and the political fallout—especially for Netanyahu—may be delayed but inevitable. The episode underscores a deep rift between public promises and battlefield reality, leaving Israel in a state of uneasy relief.