For months, Israelis had been accustomed to hearing grim news of hostages meeting tragic fates in Gaza, with some families fortunate enough to have the remains of their loved ones brought back for burial. The recent daring rescue that saw four hostages saved alive provided a much-needed morale boost in Israel, especially for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, albeit momentarily.

Despite the initial euphoria following the rescue mission, reality quickly set in as reports emerged of a substantial number of Palestinian casualties, including innocent civilians, as a result of the intense air and ground assault that accompanied the operation. This turn of events cast a shadow over Israel's portrayal of the mission as a clear success, particularly on the international stage. Analysts noted that the operation's shortcomings failed to address the complex challenges and dilemmas that continue to preoccupy the Israeli government, indicating that the rescue did not offer a definitive solution to the deep-rooted issues at play.