As Israel observes Passover—a festival symbolizing freedom and resilience—the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have increased coordinated military actions on multiple fronts, highlighting the state’s ongoing struggle against an array of Iran-backed terrorist organizations. This Passover marks a time for both national reflection and intense vigilance, with the IDF undertaking continuous operations in Gaza, the north against Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Judea and Samaria, and in the maritime south facing threats from the Houthis in Yemen.
Passover, traditionally a time for family gatherings and remembrance of ancient deliverance, has become a period of elevated military readiness for Israel. Historical patterns indicate that Jewish holidays often serve as flashpoints for terror groups eager to exploit the symbolic timing. In light of the horrors unleashed on October 7, 2023—when Iranian-armed Hamas terrorists perpetrated the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust—Israelis have had to redefine their notion of safety and freedom.
Gaza remains the largest and most active theater. The IDF continues precise strikes and ground operations to eradicate Hamas’s military infrastructure, target senior terror operatives, and uncover extensive tunnel networks beneath civilian areas. Israeli military sources emphasize that these operations are carefully planned to minimize civilian casualties, yet are complicated by Hamas’s deliberate use of human shields—a long-standing strategy intended to manipulate media coverage and international perceptions. The IDF’s ongoing rescue missions for hostages held by Hamas testify to the war’s human stakes: innocent civilians are still missing, their fates leveraged by terrorists who demand the release of convicted murderers and war criminals.
In parallel, the northern border with Lebanon remains volatile as Hezbollah, the Iranian regime’s most advanced proxy, escalates rocket attacks and drone incursions targeting Israeli communities. The IDF’s response includes precision artillery and airstrikes on Hezbollah positions, with top officials reiterating that any serious escalation will draw overwhelming Israeli retaliation. Israeli forces remain on high alert across the north, reinforcing defensive positions and coordinating closely with local communities who have endured repeated bombardments and evacuations.
The broader conflict is shaped by Iran’s regional ambitions. Tehran continues to funnel weapons, training, and intelligence to Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and multiple militias in Syria and Iraq. IDF intelligence has repeatedly uncovered Iranian-supplied rockets, drones, and munitions in every active sector. Western intelligence and the US defense community recognize that Israel is on the frontline of a larger war aimed at destabilizing the Middle East and undermining Western interests through coordinated proxy violence.
To the east, in Judea and Samaria, the IDF executes nightly counterterror operations to apprehend terror suspects and disrupt attack plots orchestrated under Iranian guidance. Recent weeks have seen a spike in attempted attacks against Israeli civilians, infrastructure, and security forces. Israeli officials attribute this escalation to a combination of emboldening by October 7, incitement from Iranian and Qatari channels, and direct operational support to local terror cells.
Further afield, the Houthis in Yemen have launched long-range missiles and attack drones toward Israel’s southern city of Eilat and commercial maritime targets, expanding the geographical scope of the conflict. The Israeli Navy, with support from the US and European partners, intercepts these threats, maintaining safety on key regional shipping lanes. The presence of US and European naval forces in the Red Sea underlines the wider strategic stakes and international recognition that Iranian-backed militancy threatens not only Israel but global commerce and security.
Despite the ongoing hostilities, Israel facilitates sustained humanitarian aid into Gaza—food, medical supplies, and fuel—coordinated with international agencies. The government and military highlight the documented pattern of Hamas diverting this assistance to its fighters, despite ongoing rocket fire targeting Israel. The IDF’s efforts to warn civilians and facilitate evacuations in war zones are unmatched in modern conflict, but often underreported by major international outlets.
This Passover, Israeli resilience is on open display: communities support the displaced, families set an empty seat for the kidnapped, and volunteers rush to aid both the military and civilians in need. The high costs—both human and economic—are borne with a sense of unity and national purpose. Yet, every Israeli recognizes that the war is existential: the defeat of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the broader axis of Iranian proxies is vital not just for Israeli survival, but for the security of the entire democratic world.
The Iron Swords War is neither an isolated campaign nor a symmetrical conflict. It is the latest chapter in a long, asymmetric war imposed by the Islamic Republic of Iran and executed by its terror affiliates. Israel’s military actions across all sectors are acts of national and moral self-defense, designed to protect its citizens and deter further aggression. The international community’s understanding of these truths—grounded in the facts of the battlefield, documentary evidence, and historical context—remains essential for principled diplomacy and lasting peace in the region.
As Israelis mark Passover, the message is clear: the struggle for freedom is ongoing, and Israel is determined to prevail. The IDF’s multi-front operations, conducted with professionalism and humanitarian diligence, reaffirm the nation’s commitment to life, security, and the enduring values at the heart of the Jewish experience.
