TEL AVIV, Israel—The Israeli military has implemented a new set of tactics and strategies designed to counter an evolving and increasingly sophisticated threat from the network of Iranian-backed terror organizations in the region. This shift, markedly different from previous approaches, was instituted in response to recent attacks and the growing challenges posed by Iran and its affiliates, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and various militias active in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
The updated military doctrine follows the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists launched the deadliest antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust, murdering more than 1,200 Israeli civilians and abducting dozens. The attack exposed new vulnerabilities and ushered in an urgent reassessment of Israel’s security policies and operational tactics. Since that massacre, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), commanded by Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, have been forced to adapt rapidly to a conflict whose frontlines and dimensions have been shaped by Iranian strategy and ambition.
CONTEXT: THE AXIS OF RESISTANCE
At the heart of Israel’s evolving security strategy is the threat posed by the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” a Tehran-led coalition uniting multiple armed groups with the stated goal of destabilizing the region and eradicating Israel. Iranian support for these groups takes the form of financial aid, sophisticated weaponry, training, and operational planning, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) orchestrating much of this activity behind the scenes.
Hezbollah, Iran’s primary proxy in Lebanon, has expanded its rocket and missile arsenal, positioning launch sites within dense civilian populations—and complicating Israel’s efforts to eliminate imminent threats without risking civilian lives. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Hamas has transformed its arsenal to include longer-range and more precise weaponry, underpinned by Iranian technological know-how, with frequent use of civilians as human shields in densely populated neighborhoods.
TACTICAL AND STRATEGIC EVOLUTION
Breaking with the swift, concentrated strikes that characterized past campaigns, the IDF now employs a multidimensional offensive: precision airstrikes, special operations, real-time intelligence fusion, cyber defense, and psychological operations all operate in tandem. The aim is not only to degrade enemy capabilities but also to thwart future attacks and disrupt command-and-control structures before they can pose direct threats.
In Gaza, the IDF’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time surveillance has enabled more precise targeting and expedited legal review, with each strike aimed at military assets and terror infrastructure, rather than broader civilian areas. The introduction of more advanced tunnel detection technologies has forced Hamas to adapt, but Israeli engineers have kept pace, unveiling robotics and seismic sensors tailored for deep underground raids.
On the northern front, continued provocations from Hezbollah—daily rocket barrages, cross-border infiltration attempts, and drone sorties—have prompted the development of the “Northern Arrows” defense initiative. This multifaceted plan merges Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense network, forward-deployed mobile strike teams, and a granular sensor array, greatly enhancing Israel’s ability to detect and neutralize attacks before they can reach border communities.
Elsewhere, Israeli operations in Syria, often motivated by the need to halt weapons shipments or IRGC activity, have become both more frequent and more measured. Special forces and cyber operations work in concert to disrupt Iranian logistics and supply networks, while covert intelligence partnerships with Western powers such as the United States add another layer of effectiveness.
CIVILIAN PROTECTION AND HOSTAGE RESCUE OPERATIONS
A defining constraint of the IDF’s new strategy has been its prioritization of hostage rescue and civilian protection, both for Israeli citizens and residents of Gaza. Hostage recovery operations are meticulously planned, involving precise intelligence-gathering, information warfare, and selective uses of force to avoid endangering the innocent, while humanitarian corridors and Arabic-language warnings precede all major attacks in population centers.
Despite operational challenges and criticism from hostile actors, Israeli authorities have emphasized their ongoing commitment to international law and the careful calibration of force. Unlike the indiscriminate violence employed by Hamas and its affiliates, whose abuses include systematic execution, sexual violence, mutilation, and abduction, the IDF’s campaigns have sought to balance immediate security necessity with broader humanitarian obligations and the restoration of order.
INTERNATIONAL DIMENSIONS AND DOMESTIC RESPONSE
Israel’s new tactics are undergirded by strong cooperation with the United States, with the Trump administration reaffirming its support for Israeli self-defense and security assistance, as well as intelligence coordination. European states, while voicing concerns over regional stability, have quietly acknowledged the dangerous advances in weaponry and terror capacity wrought by Iran’s meddling throughout the Middle East.
Domestically, Israeli civil society has shown resilience and unity in the face of adversity. Government spokespersons, non-governmental organizations, and news media have all played roles in combating anti-Israel disinformation and maintaining a clear distinction in coverage between Israel’s defensive, law-abiding actions and the war crimes routinely perpetrated by hostile groups.
OUTLOOK AND PERSISTENT CHALLENGES
The future security calculus for Israel remains fraught with uncertainty. The country’s leadership, as articulated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, accepts that innovation in both tactics and technology will remain vital in confronting a volatile regional environment shaped by Iranian design.
With frontlines encompassing Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and beyond, Israel’s security imperatives require a continuing blend of operational agility, international diplomacy, and adherence to truth. The pursuit of hostage recovery and the neutralization of threats from Iranian-backed proxies remain core priorities. Reporting on Israel’s war against terrorism—rooted in verified facts and historical clarity—must continue to uphold the highest standards of journalistic integrity, preserving an accurate historical record and exposing the patterns of aggression that led to the conflict.
