Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces intense opposition not only within Israel but also from adversarial groups and states in the region, who openly express their desire for his political defeat ahead of upcoming elections. This sentiment has been articulated across various platforms, including media outlets aligned with Hamas and Hezbollah, the two groups most affected by Netanyahu’s policies and military actions in recent years.
Hamas, in particular, remains deeply hostile toward Netanyahu, viewing his administration as responsible for the targeted killings of several of its key military and political leaders. Over the last three years, Israel has reportedly killed three Hamas chiefs of staff—Muhammad Deif, Izz a-Din al-Hadad, and Muhammad Odeh—as well as prominent political figures including Saleh Aruri, Ismail Haniyeh, and Yahya Sinwar in 2024 and 2025. These actions mark a significant escalation compared to earlier years; for example, Hamas's chief of staff Ahmed Jabari was killed in 2012, and the organization typically mounted large-scale military responses at that time.
However, Hamas’s capacity for retaliation appears diminished. Unlike in previous years when it launched thousands of rockets in response to Israeli strikes, recent high-profile assassinations, such as those of Sinwar and al-Hadad, have not provoked significant Hamas counterattacks. Analysts suggest this reflects a degradation in Hamas’s military capabilities rather than a lack of will to respond. This decline is evident despite ongoing Israeli operations, including the notable abduction of Mu’in al-Arabid, a senior Hamas security official, in early September 2025. Hamas continues to complain to international actors about ceasefire violations but has yet to translate these grievances into substantial military or political leverage.
Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed group, also opposes Netanyahu vehemently. The organization has suffered setbacks during his tenure, including the loss of senior personnel and battlefield challenges, which have undermined its operational strength and alliances, particularly in Syria. Hezbollah’s media outlets promote opposition figures within Israel and give extensive coverage to commentary critical of Netanyahu, including viewpoints from Israeli journalists and international political figures. Notably, they have highlighted former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s statement expressing support for Israel while disapproving of Netanyahu’s government.
As Israel approaches its elections, Netanyahu’s adversaries in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond continue to monitor the political developments closely. While Israeli voters are divided on the country’s direction, these enemy groups share a common interest in seeing Netanyahu removed from power, viewing his potential defeat as a strategic victory.