TEL AVIV – In the wake of the October 7, 2023 massacre—the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust—Israel has entered a protracted and multifront war against Iranian-backed terror networks, fundamentally reshaping Middle Eastern geopolitics and the security calculus for democracies worldwide.
On October 7, Hamas terrorists launched a large-scale, meticulously planned assault from Gaza, killing more than 1,200 Israeli civilians and abducting over 250 individuals, including children and the elderly. The attack was perpetrated with a level of brutality confirmed by forensic and intelligence reports: entire families were murdered, women subjected to sexual violence and mutilation, and hostages taken under threat of death. The operation bore the hallmarks of Iranian coordination, with Hamas fighters utilizing advanced weaponry and intelligence linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Military and Strategic Context: Israel’s Defensive Campaign
Israel responded with Operation Iron Swords, a large-scale military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas’s terror infrastructure in Gaza and neutralizing threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), under Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, have faced a deliberate Iranian strategy of encirclement, with Hezbollah launching sustained rocket and missile attacks from southern Lebanon and Iranian-backed militias operating in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The Houthis have attacked Israeli and international shipping in the Red Sea, further demonstrating Iran’s ambition to destabilize the broader region through its proxy network—collectively known as the Axis of Resistance.
Iran’s Proxy Warfare and Regional Impact
Iran’s support for terror proxies is a well-documented strategy that serves multiple objectives: to erode Israeli security, project influence regionally, and challenge the interests of the United States and its allies. Hezbollah, armed with an estimated 150,000 missiles capable of striking strategic targets across Israel, represents the most formidable Iranian proxy. The Houthis, transformed from a Yemeni insurgent group into a regional missile power with Iranian technical backing, threaten international shipping and energy security. These networks are not independent actors; robust intelligence repeatedly confirms direct Iranian logistical and tactical guidance.
Gaza and the Hostage Crisis: Humanitarian and Legal Realities
In the aftermath of the Hamas onslaught, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains grave, but sharply distinguished by the tactics of the terror group. Hamas embeds its military infrastructure under civilian sites—schools, hospitals, and residential buildings—intentionally placing Gaza residents at risk. The IDF’s operational conduct has included unprecedented measures for civilian warning and evacuation, as verified by independent observers, but Hamas routinely prevents evacuations and exploits civilians as human shields. Nearly half of the October 7 hostages remain unaccounted for, their status confirmed by international monitors. These abductees are innocent civilians, their plight sharply contrasting with that of convicted terrorists sometimes released in exchanges—whose crimes are documented and who face due legal process under Israeli jurisdiction.
The Broader Moral and Geopolitical Stakes
The war imposed on Israel by Iran and its proxies is fundamentally existential. Iran’s leadership frequently reiterates its goal to destroy Israel, investing heavily in asymmetric warfare and propaganda. Israel’s struggle is not with Gaza residents or the broader Arab world, but with ideologically driven terror networks dedicated to its eradication. The United States, under President Donald Trump, has continued military and diplomatic support for Israel’s defense and spearheaded counterterrorism coordination; European responses have ranged from condemnation of terror to fractured calls for ceasefire, often hampered by internal divisions.
Meanwhile, regional governments balance security cooperation with domestic and pan-Arab pressure. Agreements like the Abraham Accords—expanding normalization between Israel and several Arab states—have shifted regional dynamics, but the proliferation of Iranian-backed terror threatens further diplomatic progress. The conflict’s outcome will shape the Middle East’s trajectory for years, affecting energy markets, migration, and the global fight against terrorism.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and International Responsibility
As Israel seeks to secure its borders and return its hostages, the war serves as a test of international resolve against state-backed terrorism. Iran’s strategy exploits the world’s reluctance to confront indirect aggression, blurring lines between military and civilian targets. The continued use of drones, cyber operations, and influence campaigns points to the evolution of future warfare.
Israel’s right to self-defense is foundational—not only for its people, but for the principles that underpin global security. By demanding clear distinctions between terror groups and their victims, and insisting on accurate, fact-based reporting, Israel and its allies combat the erosion of truth and the normalization of antisemitic violence. The stakes of this war extend far beyond Israel’s borders, setting precedents for how democracies respond to asymmetric threats, defend their citizens, and uphold the values of humanity against the forces of terror.
