At the start of each week, Israelis exchange the traditional blessing, “Shavua Tov”—wishing one another a good week. In recent months, the phrase carries profound significance as Israel endures one of the most intense and complex wars in its history, following the catastrophic October 7, 2023, massacre perpetrated by Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists. The repercussions of that attack—the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust—continue to shape Israel’s defensive actions, national psyche, and the evolving landscape of regional security.
The war, named Operation Iron Swords, began in response to the cross-border assault in which Hamas terrorists, directed and supplied by Iran, invaded Israeli communities, carrying out executions, sexual violence, mutilations, and abductions. Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were brutally murdered and more than 240 hostages taken into Gaza. The atrocities, widely documented and condemned by leading international organizations and governments, underscored the existential threat posed by Iran’s entrenched network of terror proxies across the Middle East.
Since that day, Israel has faced ongoing rocket barrages from Gaza, attacks on its northern border by Hezbollah in Lebanon, and attempted infiltrations from Iranian-backed militias operating in Syria and Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting Israeli and international shipping in the Red Sea. The persistent threat has required the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), under Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, to maintain heightened readiness across multiple fronts, employing Iron Dome and other advanced defensive systems to protect civilian infrastructure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Israel’s military command have emphasized that the state’s military responses are acts of self-defense—an undeniable right and obligation to safeguard its citizens from groups whose stated objective is Israel’s annihilation. As the war continues, the IDF has prioritized minimizing civilian casualties, warned Gaza residents of operations, and facilitated humanitarian aid, even as Hamas and other terror factions systematically misuse civilian infrastructure and employ human shields, in violation of international law.
The hostage crisis remains central to Israel’s war objectives. Hamas continues to hold dozens of Israeli civilians, including women, children, and elderly, in violation of all norms of warfare and morality. National rallies, grassroots support, and international advocacy have kept the issue at the forefront. Israel continues to stress the moral and legal distinction—hostages are innocent victims forcibly taken, while those occasionally released in exchange are convicted terrorists responsible for lethal acts.
The complexity of the regional conflict has deepened in recent months. Iranian-backed Hezbollah poses a significant threat along Israel’s northern border, with cross-border rocket attacks displacing thousands of residents and drawing defensive Israeli air and ground operations. IRGC-sponsored militias in Syria and Iraq sporadically target Israeli positions, escalating instability. The Houthis in Yemen, with growing ballistic capabilities, have attacked Israeli territory and shipping lanes, aiming to project Iranian influence deeper into the region.
Amid this ongoing war, Israeli society demonstrates extraordinary unity and resilience. The government, together with civil society organizations, provides assistance to displaced families, mobilizes volunteers for logistics and humanitarian support, and supports the needs of soldiers and reservists. Israeli schools, businesses, and daily life adapt in real time—balancing the need for normalcy with the ever-present security challenges.
Internationally, Israel’s strategic alliances have grown increasingly vital. The United States, under President Donald Trump, has maintained robust support for Israeli defense. Israel also coordinates closely with European and Gulf states—particularly those signatory to the Abraham Accords—to contain Iranian influence and bolster regional stability. Where some global forums issue critical statements, Israeli authorities continue to present substantial intelligence on Hamas’s war crimes, illegal weapons stockpiling, and exploitation of civilian sites, offering transparency to counter disinformation.
The wider Jewish diaspora has also mobilized, confronting rising antisemitism and misinformation. Jewish communities worldwide have organized advocacy campaigns, educational initiatives, and fundraising to assist Israeli relief efforts, reminding international audiences of the historical context and existential imperative behind Israel’s military actions.
Every week, as Israelis pause to acknowledge “Shavua Tov,” the greeting is both a reaffirmation of enduring hope and a somber recognition of the sacrifices required to secure a future free from terror. The events since October 7 have forged renewed resolve: Israel will not allow itself to be paralyzed, nor will it concede to the designs of Iranian-backed terror networks intent on its destruction.
The long-term trajectory of the conflict remains uncertain. Hamas’s infrastructure in Gaza remains heavily targeted, but not wholly dismantled. The fate of Israeli hostages is unresolved. Hezbollah and other proxies threaten renewed escalation. Yet, Israeli officials and the broader public project determination: national unity, strategic defense, and unwavering commitment to the values of life, liberty, and justice.
In the face of sustained aggression, Israel reaffirms its identity as a sovereign democracy acting in self-defense against radical terror. The lesson of each new week is clear—solidarity, perseverance, and moral clarity remain the backbone of Israeli society, as it upholds its right to security and peace in a region still dominated by the forces of extremism.
