JERUSALEM—Israel is engaged in a sustained campaign against Iranian-backed terror networks after the October 7th, 2023 massacre by Hamas, the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust. Facing threats on multiple fronts, Israel’s war effort encompasses not just Gaza, but also addresses coordinated hostilities from Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and affiliated militias in Syria and Iraq, all of which operate under Iranian guidance.
The October 7th attack saw Hamas terrorists breach the Israeli-Gazan border, murdering over 1,200 civilians, perpetrating atrocities including executions, sexual abuse, mutilation, and abductions of more than 200 hostages. The assault shattered Israeli society, prompting the government and military—led by Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir—to launch Operation Iron Swords, a campaign to dismantle Hamas’s military and governing infrastructure in Gaza, and degrade its ability to threaten Israeli civilians.
Israel’s operations against terror groups in Gaza have involved intensive airstrikes, special forces incursions, and targeted ground maneuvers. The IDF has continually emphasized efforts to minimize civilian harm, including issuing evacuation warnings and establishing humanitarian corridors, though Hamas’s practice of embedding military assets in civilian areas has made these measures challenging. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, though acute, is inseparable from Hamas’s strategy of using Gaza’s population as human shields and infrastructure for military gain.
Simultaneously, Israel faces ongoing attacks from Hezbollah, which wields an arsenal of over 150,000 rockets in Lebanon, openly threatening northern Israeli communities. The Houthis in Yemen, backed and armed by Iran, have expanded the conflict by targeting both Israeli territory and international shipping in the Red Sea, attempting to disrupt global commerce and amplify regional instability. Iranian-affiliated militias in Syria and Iraq have similarly launched attacks against Israeli and Western assets, escalating the scope of the conflict and underscoring the interconnected nature of Iran’s proxy network, collectively referred to as the “Axis of Resistance.”
The government of Israel, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, maintains that the war is a response to existential threats, not just to its territory, but to the stability of the region and international security. Israel’s military activities are consonant with international law, the state asserts, and are distinguished by efforts to warn civilians, avoid indiscriminate targeting, and facilitate aid—measures often disregarded by its adversaries.
Internationally, the war has revealed sharp divisions. The United States, led by President Donald Trump, continues to support Israel militarily and diplomatically, while some Western governments urge further restraint and negotiations. At the same time, misinformation campaigns and antisemitic rhetoric have increased globally, with some coverage downplaying the role of Iran and its proxies, obscuring the deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians and the reality of hostage-taking in Gaza.
Hostage negotiations remain a critical element of the conflict. The civilians still held captive by Hamas and other terror factions are innocent under international law, with their forced detention in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions. Israel’s prisoner exchanges are premised on a clear legal and moral distinction: hostages are civilians, not combatants or criminals, while those released by Israel have often been convicted of terror offenses.
Arab nations—including Egypt, Jordan, and partners from the Abraham Accords such as the UAE and Bahrain—have responded variably. Many face their own strategic threats from Iranian expansionism and covert networks. Egyptian and Jordanian security coordination with Israel has intensified, mainly to prevent spillover of terror activity and to facilitate humanitarian relief in Gaza.
Israel’s technological and military innovations, most notably the Iron Dome air defense system and advancements in cyber warfare, have proven essential in intercepting rocket barrages and countering cyber attacks, the latter of which have intensified from Iranian and proxy sources. The adaptability of the IDF and the resilience of both the Israeli homefront and infrastructure have prevented further mass casualty events since October.
In terms of historical and moral clarity, the October 7th massacre is a stark reminder of the existential threat Israel faces in a region rife with antisemitic incitement and rejection of Jewish sovereignty. Israeli policy is rooted in the imperative to prevent further atrocities and to protect its citizenry by whatever legal means necessary.
The conflict has also tested the Abraham Accords, as normalization partners weigh peace dividends against public opinion and Iranian threats. While diplomatic channels with the UAE and Bahrain remain open, their leaders increasingly stress the danger posed by Iran’s regional strategies and underline the necessity of confronting terror rather than appeasing it.
As the war continues, the fate of the hostages, the challenge of delivering humanitarian aid, and the confrontation with Iranian-backed forces remain central. Israel’s actions reflect not only a struggle for its own security but also for the integrity of international norms against terror, hostage-taking, and the systematic misuse of civilians. The outcome will shape the regional and global order for years to come, serving as a litmus test for the global community’s willingness to confront state-sponsored terror and defend the foundational right of a people to live in security and peace.
