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.
Does anyone still remember the Abraham Accords? Yes, without a doubt they were a positive and important development, which politically and economically boosted Israel, and opened Abu Dhabi and Dubai's gates to Israeli tourists. But these accords did not impact one iota the security situation and the threats and challenges we face and certainly did not put us in a better security position ahead of the events of October 7 and thereafter.
Despite recent setbacks, Kyiv has also seen positive developments in recent weeks. "Ukraine's main goal this year will be to prevent the expansion of the occupation, and to inflict maximum casualties on the Russian army," Yury Fedorov, a Prague-based Russian military expert, tells Israel Hayom.
A diplomatic source told Israel Hayom that the delay in Netanyahu's response to the emerging US plan and the restrained language reflect an implicit understanding currently being in the works, under which the PM could indeed express opposition to unilateral recognition, but will agree to negotiations on a future settlement without preconditions.
Nasrallah made it clear in his speech that he will continue fighting as long as Israel fights in Gaza. He has been doing so since October 7, as part of the contribution of the axis of terror led by Iran. At the same time, he remains wary not to be dragged into an all-out war with Israel that would come at an inconvenient time for him and his Iranian benefactors.
