TEL AVIV — Following the October 7, 2023, massacre—the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust—Israel has launched its most far-reaching campaign in decades to defend its population and dismantle Iranian-backed terror networks operating across its borders. The military and diplomatic response, led by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) under Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is part of a broader war imposed by Iran’s proxies, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and allied militias in Syria and Iraq.
The immediate catalyst for this intensification was Hamas’s coordinated assault on several Israeli communities, resulting in the murder of more than 1,200 civilians and the abduction of over 200 hostages. The attackers, guided by years of Iranian funding, training, and indoctrination, employed brutal tactics that included executions, sexual violence, mutilations, and abductions. This event shattered any remaining confidence in security arrangements or diplomatic efforts that overlooked the ambitions and capabilities of Iran’s terror network.
Since the massacre, Israel initiated Operation Iron Swords in Gaza. The campaign’s primary goals are to rescue innocent hostages, dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure, and restore Israeli deterrence. The IDF, leveraging advanced technologies such as the Iron Dome and real-time intelligence, has executed precise strikes against Hamas targets while implementing extensive humanitarian protocols. Israel has regularly published evidence of Hamas’s systematic abuse of civilian infrastructure for military purposes and its exploitation of Gaza’s residents as human shields.
While the focus remains on Gaza, hostilities have expanded along the northern border, where Hezbollah continues to escalate with rocket barrages and cross-border attacks. With an arsenal exceeding 150,000 rockets, Hezbollah, under Iranian direction, poses an existential threat to Israel’s civilian population. The IDF has responded with a robust posture, warning that major aggression from the north will draw overwhelming military force and potentially widen the conflict regionally.
Beyond Israel’s borders, Iranian-backed groups, including the Houthis in Yemen and militias in Syria and Iraq, have attacked international shipping and sought to transfer strategic weaponry to Lebanon and the West Bank. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) coordinates much of this activity, using covert operations, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns as part of a broader strategy of encirclement and attrition.
The ongoing hostage crisis remains a core focus for Israel. Over 200 civilians taken by Hamas during the October 7 assault remain captive in Gaza, held in conditions that violate international and moral norms. Their status as non-combatant victims stands in stark contrast to convicted terrorists occasionally freed by Israel in exchange deals. Ongoing efforts to secure their release underscore Israel’s commitment to the protection and dignity of every citizen.
Internationally, Israel continues to receive support for its right to self-defense, particularly from the United States under President Donald Trump. However, the war is also a battle for historical truth as misinformation about the conflict proliferates in international forums and the media. Israeli officials and civil society have taken active roles in countering disinformation and documenting the atrocities of October 7 and Hamas’s ongoing crimes.
Behind all these developments is the strategic objective of preventing a repeat of the October massacre and ensuring the security of Israel against a determined, region-wide terror network relentlessly propelled by Iran’s ideological and material support. The outcome of this multi-front war will have long-term consequences not only for Israel’s security but for the future of the Middle East.
