I was in Israel recently for a journalistic mission, along with other South African journalists and policy analysts. I returned from the trip better informed about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. I also got to learn about Israel's fight against Hezbollah in Israel’s north. The trip was moving spiritually, and intellectually enriching on geopolitics of the Middle East.

Israel is a nation in mourning and raging at those who forced war upon it on October 7.

On our first day in Tel Aviv, we watched a chilling film titled Supernova – The Music Festival Massacre. The film unravels the massacring of Israelis by Hamas at Nova Music Festival on October 7. It contains heart-wrenching footages of the horrific, bloody events of October 7. Hamas filmed its atrocities of October 7. Obviously, to document for the world to see what Hamas is capable of in its “struggle for liberation” – whatever that "struggle for liberation" is when Palestinians have rejected statehood numerous times over the past decades.

The next day, we visited the Nova Music Festival site. I could imagine the horror of October 7 as I walked at the site, taking photographs and videos.

While we were at the site, a siren rang and we had to run to nearest bomb shelters, as we had been advised minutes before. During those moments of the sounds of the siren, we got to experience what people of Israel go through daily.

After visiting the Nova Music Festival site, we went to Nir Oz kibbutz – another place where Hamas terrorists invaded and slaughtered more Israelis on October 7.

Meeting the survivors of the massacres was a moving experience. It was evident that they were still traumatised by the horror of October 7.

It was saddening to learn that Hamas’s horrific operation on the day of October 7 lasted for more than eight hours, with no Israeli army insight to repel the terrorists. It really was a dark day for the people of Israel.

The Israelis had grown complacency over Hamas over the years. They never thought that Hamas could launch such a horrific attack inside Israel.

The planning of Hamas’ attacks began more than ten years ago, according to a report by Times of Israel. During their planning, they gathered all kind of critical intelligence inside Israel that would help them in their launch of the attacks. The Gaza civilian people who worked inside Israel sourced information inside Israel and passed it to Hamas.

I asked the survivors I met if they still believed in peace. Most said no – and I understood why. The attacks traumatised them, and there are still Israelis held hostage in Gaza.

The attacks were a game changer in the Middle East. The Israelis do not want Hamas to govern Gaza again. Ever. They are adamant on that. However, they are not sure at this point about what happens in Gaza after the Gaza war. What type of governance will be put in place – and who will head that governance? Israelis have no answers to this crucial question.

The Israelis understand well that Hamas’ ideology cannot be defeated. The mission of the Israelis at this point, is to rescue hostages and destroy Hamas’ capabilities and infrastructure. They believe Hamas must be in no position to launch the attacks comparative to October 7 again.

There is no appetite for the two-state solution in Israel, at least at this point, given the serious security concerns. This week, Israel’s parliament voted "overwhelmingly against Palestinian statehood as Netanyahu prepares for U.S. visit", American news network NBC News has reported. Israel does not believe that terrorists who massacred and kidnapped hundreds of Israeli citizens should be rewarded with a state.

In an interview with CNBC News last May, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “The two-state solution would be the greatest reward for the terrorists that you can imagine. 80% of Palestinians in Gaza and in the West Bank support the savagery.”

The Israelis don’t trust the Palestinians. That’s just the reality you see and hear on the ground in Israel. To them, the Palestinian state would pose a serious threat to Israel.

The very important question is, do Palestinians really want their own state? They have been rejecting every peace agreement with the Jews since the 1930s. These peace agreements would have gotten them a state of their own.

Israel is continuing with its efforts to normalise relations with Arab nations in the Middle East. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, is close to finalising a military pact with Saudi Arabia to encourage diplomatic ties between Israelis and the Saudis. If this is ever signed it will be significant.

Palestinians should be thankful that US President Joe Biden and Democrats still have some sympathy for them and are pushing for the two-state solution. The big question is, if Trump wins the US election in November, will Palestinians still get some sympathy from the White House? I doubt.

When Trump was President, he snubbed the Palestinians and brokered the Abraham Accords without them. Trump's view was that Palestinians were not interested in peace or living side by side with Israel.

On Israel’s domestic politics, there has been growing opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One of the experienced Middle East experts told me that it's uncertain that Netanyahu will finish his term in office.

Israel is a robust democracy. Since it's a democracy, it has many people and organizations who are opposed to Netanyahu’s government and its policies with respect to Palestine.

There are pro-Palestine NGOs in Israel. Some of these NGOs receive funding from foreign institutions and governments. The notion that Israel is not a democracy is misinformed.

The Gaza war has hurt Israel's economic productivity – which is unfortunate. Thousands of young professionals have been drafted to fight Hamas in Gaza, leaving their jobs and academic studies.

Attacks by Hezbollah in the north are compounding Israel’s challenges, imposing huge disrupting pressures to the country.

The October 7 attacks left Israel with a deep wound. That wound seems to be not recognised by millions around the world – as Israel’s fight in Gaza is condemned daily and the country is accused of genocide. Israel is a country with no option but to fight Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis. There is no better option – it must fight for survival.

Phumlani M. Majozi is author of a new book “Lessons from Past Heroes” and a macroeconomist and political analyst. He’s the host of The Phumlani Majozi Show on YouTube. Subscribe to his show here: Phumlani M. Majozi - YouTube.