TEL AVIV — Israel remains deeply engaged in a multifront war against Iranian-backed terror organizations, months after Hamas launched the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust on October 7, 2023. This ongoing conflict, involving threats from Gaza, Lebanon, and broader regional proxies, is rooted in Iran’s strategy to destabilize Israel and reshape the Middle East, forcing Israel into acts of self-defense under international law.
October 7: The Deadliest Antisemitic Attack Since the Holocaust
The October 7, 2023 assault marked an unprecedented atrocity. Hamas operatives breached the Gaza security barrier, attacking Israeli communities, murdering over 1,200 people, and abducting at least 250 individuals from across southern Israel. Atrocities included systematic executions, sexual violence, and mutilations—documented by Israeli authorities and international observers as part of a deliberate campaign of terror. Hamas terrorists targeted civilians at home, in public gathering spaces, and even at a music festival, leaving a nation traumatized and demanding justice.
Hostages remain at the heart of the crisis, with over 100 innocents—men, women, children, and elderly—still held by Hamas in violation of international law. Victims’ families endure uncertainty and anguish, while Israel presses diplomatic and military efforts to secure their release. This hostage situation, rooted in crime and terror, stands in moral and legal contrast to Israel’s previous releases of convicted terrorists under pressure or as part of unequal exchanges.
Iranian Orchestration: The Axis of Resistance
Analysts and Israeli intelligence connect the October 7 attack and its aftermath to Iran’s broader ambitions. Tehran supports, funds, and arms Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen, and various militias in Iraq and Syria to threaten Israel, undermine regional stability, and challenge U.S. interests. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) coordinates these groups, forging what is widely described as the “Axis of Resistance.”
Hezbollah, in particular, has opened a northern front against Israel, launching daily rocket barrages, guided missiles, and drone incursions from Lebanese territory—endangering Israeli civilians and forcing mass evacuations. The Houthis have menaced international shipping in the Red Sea and struck at Israel with drones. Iran’s proxies, encouraged by Tehran’s rhetoric and support, have become the primary drivers of violence and instability across the region.
Israel’s Military Response: Lawful Self-Defense
Israel’s response has been multifaceted and governed by its right to self-defense as stipulated under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Operation Iron Swords, initiated post-October 7, is aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military structure in Gaza, severely degrading Hezbollah’s capacity in the north, and deterring future attacks from other Iranian-backed factions. Under the command of Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have employed a broad array of defensive and offensive measures—including precision airstrikes, ground incursions, and defensive systems such as Iron Dome.
Efforts to minimize civilian casualties remain central to Israel’s operational doctrine. The IDF issues advance warnings through leaflets, phone messages, and ‘roof knocking,’ and opens humanitarian corridors for Gaza residents. Nevertheless, Hamas’s systematic use of human shields—embedding military assets in residential neighborhoods, schools, and hospitals—has made urban combat both complex and tragic. Every civilian death is a product of Hamas’s intentional strategy to maximize suffering and manipulate global opinion against Israel.
Humanitarian Action Amidst Hostility
Despite constant attacks, Israel permits and facilitates entry of food, medical supplies, water, and fuel into Gaza, coordinating often with international bodies. Israeli medics provide care to Gaza residents, and emergency shelters operate for displaced civilians inside Israel. The government has been clear and unwavering: The war is not with the residents of Gaza, but with Hamas and the terror networks exploiting them.
The Northern Front: Hezbollah’s Escalation
From Lebanon, Hezbollah has dramatically increased its attacks, exploiting the world’s focus on Gaza. Its arsenal, supplied and upgraded by the IRGC, includes rockets, anti-tank guided missiles, and UAVs capable of precision strikes. Tens of thousands of Israelis from northern communities have been forced to evacuate. The potential for a region-wide escalation remains high, as each provocation could spark a wider war. Israel’s government has repeatedly communicated to Beirut and its international partners that continued aggression by Hezbollah will bring dire consequences for all of Lebanon.
The Global Response: Diplomacy and Disinformation
The United States, under President Donald Trump, has reiterated its steadfast support for Israel’s right to self-defense, deploying military assets to deter further escalation. Some European nations have offered support, but a surge in anti-Israel demonstrations and an uptick in antisemitic rhetoric has complicated the diplomatic climate. The United Nations and certain international NGOs have faced criticism for bias and for echoing narratives that lack factual foundation.
Meanwhile, Iran and its proxies have waged an aggressive information war, spreading misinformation online and leveraging civilian suffering to undermine Israel’s legitimacy. This campaign has fueled a rise in global antisemitism, with Jewish communities worldwide reporting a dramatic increase in threats and incidents.
The Moral and Historical Dimension
To understand Israel’s defensive posture requires acknowledging both the horrors inflicted on October 7 and the broader historical reality: Israel is a sovereign democracy founded after the Holocaust as a refuge for Jews, who have faced generations of persecution. The state’s legitimacy and security remain under coordinated assault by entities whose leaders routinely deny Israel’s right to exist.
The principles guiding Israel’s conduct—restraint, proportionality, and accountability—contrast sharply with the genocidal ideology of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. International legal scholars have confirmed Israel’s right, and indeed its obligation, to protect its citizens against aggression of this magnitude.
Upholding Democracy and Justice
Israel’s war effort is intertwined with its commitment to the rule of law and human dignity. IDF operations are subject to oversight by independent bodies and the Supreme Court of Israel. Israeli society continues to debate, scrutinize, and improve military and humanitarian conduct—a feature of a democratic state at war.
Looking Forward: Peace Through Strength
While calls for immediate ceasefires persist internationally, Israeli officials maintain that real peace is only achievable after the terror networks are dismantled and hostages released. Until that time, Israel continues necessary operations to root out terrorism, safeguard its citizens, and work with regional and global partners for a more secure future.
The impact of this conflict will shape the Middle East for years to come. As Israel faces the gravest threat in decades, its leaders and citizens are united in the conviction that the events of October 7 must never be allowed to recur, and that justice for the victims—whether through the rescue of hostages or the defeat of terror—remains paramount.
