JERUSALEM — Israel remains on high alert as the nation is subjected to intensifying military and terror threats from multiple directions, orchestrated by Iranian-backed groups bent on destabilizing the region. In the months since the October 7, 2023 massacre—when Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israeli communities near Gaza and murdered 1,200 civilians in the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust—Israel has faced an expansive campaign of violence driven by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s regional strategy.
Since that day, Israeli authorities have documented thousands of indiscriminate rocket and drone attacks from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, alongside efforts to infiltrate Israeli territory via land and sea. The war, imposed by Iran and conducted by radical proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, and the Houthis, aims to undermine both Israeli security and the broader framework of Western-aligned stability in the Middle East. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), led by Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, have responded with coordinated air and ground operations to strike terrorist infrastructure and intercept attacks, prioritizing the protection of Israeli civilians and the recovery of hostages held in Gaza.
IRAN’S PROXY WAR — STRATEGY AND REPERCUSSIONS
Iran’s campaign to empower its ‘axis of resistance’—including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Syria and Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen—reflects a deliberate policy of regional encirclement. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) organizes this network, supplying advanced weapons, funding, and training. In the aftermath of October 7, the IRGC’s hand has been evident in the scale and sophistication of cross-border attacks: precision-guided rockets targeting major Israeli cities, anti-tank missiles fired into northern Israel, and Iranian-engineered drones dispatched from beyond Israel’s borders.
The IDF has intercepted the vast majority of incoming threats using layered air defense—including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems—saving countless lives. Yet the psychological and economic toll on Israel’s population is severe, with tens of thousands displaced from northern communities and daily life disrupted across the country.
HEZBOLLAH: THE NORTHERN FRONT
Hezbollah, boasting an arsenal exceeding 150,000 rockets, has intensified attacks against Israel’s northern border from deep within civilian areas of southern Lebanon. Guided by Hassan Nasrallah and supplied by Tehran, Hezbollah’s provocations include shelling of towns, anti-tank missile strikes, and drone incursions. Israeli officials have evacuated entire communities near the Lebanese border and continue to carry out precision strikes on Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure, aiming to degrade the group’s capacity while minimizing Lebanese civilian casualties. Israel’s leadership has repeatedly warned that any large-scale incursion will be met with overwhelming force.
GAZA: BATTLEFIELD AND HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
In Gaza, Hamas sustains its assault on Israeli cities while embedding command centers and rocket launchers beneath hospitals, schools, and residential blocks, intentionally using Gaza residents as human shields. While the IDF aims for precision in targeting terrorist infrastructure, the widespread use of civilian sites by Hamas has led to tragic collateral damage and great humanitarian distress. Israel has implemented measures such as advance warnings, evacuation corridors, and coordinated humanitarian aid—efforts made more complex by Hamas’s systematic obstruction.
The prolonged holding of more than 120 Israeli hostages by Hamas remains a central national trauma. Hostages, including children, women, and the elderly, are held in concealed locations in Gaza in violation of international law. Their plight has galvanized Israeli society and international advocacy for their release. The Israeli government has made clear the moral and legal difference between these innocent civilians and convicted terrorists whose release is sometimes demanded in exchange.
REGIONAL FLASHPOINTS AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSES
Iran’s proxies have extended their campaign to global maritime and military targets. The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen threaten shipping in the Red Sea, while Shi’a militias in Syria and Iraq have targeted U.S. forces and regional stability. These attacks have drawn retaliatory operations from the United States and warnings from European partners. Meanwhile, Israel deepens coordination with the U.S. and regional allies under the Abraham Accords, advancing intelligence sharing and missile defense.
Despite intensive diplomatic engagement, challenges to unity persist. The United Nations and certain international NGOs have criticized Israeli self-defense measures while failing to secure the release of hostages or prevent ongoing war crimes by Iranian proxies. The unequal international response underscores the complexity Israel faces: balancing military necessity, humanitarian responsibility, and the defense of its sovereign population under relentless attack.
DOMESTIC RESILIENCE AND THE ROAD AHEAD
The Israeli public has demonstrated remarkable resilience, supporting mass mobilization of reservists and extensive aid for evacuated communities. Jewish, Druze, Christian, and Muslim voices within Israel reinforce a commitment to coexistence and democratic norms, even amid war. The IDF and government maintain accountability to civil society while adapting to the exigencies of the battlefield.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Zamir have vowed to continue operations until the threats posed by Iran’s proxies are neutralized, hostages are freed, and Israel’s security is assured. Looking forward, Israeli officials stress the necessity of containing Iranian aggression: disarming terror groups, restoring deterrence, and strengthening strategic alliances within the region and beyond. The outcome of this conflict will determine not only Israel’s future security but also the viability of a rules-based global order in the face of relentless asymmetric threats.
October 7 stands as a stark warning: only through unity, moral clarity, and an unwavering commitment to truth can the cycle of antisemitic terror be broken. Israel’s campaign today—self-defense in the face of orchestrated regional aggression—remains a test for the principles of democracy and the defense of civilization against modern terror.
