The order was given only after all the pieces fell into place. But even then, everything could have gone wrong in the bat of an eye and the mission would have been a failure. The intelligence required is not based on general information but must reach maximum resolution.
The leader of the world's biggest democracy will apparently continue to a third term, but he has failed to secure an outright majority. Now he must face off a resurgent Left.
Key figures in American Jewry are also losing patience with the 46th president in the wake of his shift on Israel. Has he let his advisors lead him astray?
It seems the kingdom is preparing to reap the political dividend of the war in Gaza in the wake of the PA's rise at the expense of Hamas. This would include a deal with the US on security guarantees and a civilian nuclear program that leaves normalization with Israel out.
The deadlock in negotiations for the release of the hostages, coupled with American accusations against Hamas, has paved the way for Israel to launch the Rafah offensive. The IDF's starting position is better than those at the beginning of the campaign in northern Gaza or the Khan Younis area. The enemy will now be entering combat with a command echelon that has been depleted.
The assault gives Israel leverage to pressure the US to get concessions that will make things difficult for Iran. In any case, Israel need not rush to respond. It would be wise to keep Iranian nerves in tense anticipation, allowing the Iranian rial to continue plummeting and enabling internal criticism of the regime to intensify.
The problem is not Gaza, the problem is Iran, former IDF Military Intelligence chief Amos Yadlin says.
Despite Iran reportedly preparing to launch an unprecedented attack on Israel using drones because of the recent Damascus strike, Jerusalem has yet to accept Ukraine's offer to share its hard-earned experience in battling such weapon systems. "Both sides have something to learn, but it seems Israel is not interested," a diplomatic source in Kyiv told Israel Hayom.
As the government wavers indecisively, dwindling international support leaves leaders needing to decisively pursue victory.
He does not enjoy the public aura surrounding Yahya Sinwar or the military reputation of Mohammed Deif, but his importance to the organization is no less critical than that of his two partners in the leadership structure.
