Concealing the scale of its losses is not merely a media tactic, but a central strategic mechanism that allows Hezbollah to preserve its narrative of "victory" and prevent internal erosion. The concealment is an attempt to preserve an artificial image of victory in the face of a reality of attrition and destruction, with the terrorist organization knowing that exposing the truth could lead to its unraveling.
The security reality in Lebanon and along Israel's northern border is anything but a ceasefire, and it is unclear whom the current situation serves. Will renewed fighting in Iran change the restrictions imposed on Israel?
Iran, as is its way, wants to drag things out, hoping something will happen along the way. It is willing to give up Hormuz now, and it is demanding sanctions relief now, but it wants to give up the nuclear issue only at the end, in measured doses.
Tehran is gradually covering its retreat from its excessive demands and makes a new proposal, one that is easier for the Americans to swallow, presenting a certain compromise on the nuclear issue. Trump’s response indicates that he, too, sees Tehran backing down.
Reality proves that antisemitism is a strategic arm of our enemies. Israel must move from weak public diplomacy to firm diplomatic measures: recalling ambassadors and issuing uncompromising security demands.
The naval blockade has failed to break Iran’s leadership, and President Donald Trump now faces a decision: escalate and attack, or lift the blockade.
The clash with Kyiv over grain was entirely avoidable, but it exposes a deeper problem: Israel appears to be completely missing Ukraine's new status as a global power, and particularly as a power in the Middle East, thanks to its advanced military-technological capabilities. That could hurt in the future.
Israel must make clear to our American allies that this situation, in which we are exposed to attacks from Lebanon, cannot continue for long. The negotiations with Iran, which are freezing the situation in Lebanon, must end within days.
The campaign against Iran is becoming clearer with each passing day as one that is not only failing to topple the regime, but in many respects is even strengthening it. Iran has recorded numerous successes while preventing any significant signs of internal destabilization, from protests to defections.
Under pressure from the US president, the IDF has stopped strikes on Hezbollah’s power centers. The terrorist organization, for its part, continues to violate the ceasefire. Israel must stop playing by Hezbollah’s rules in order to disrupt its operations. In Gaza, too, greater sophistication is needed in the face of Hamas’ military buildup, which could begin targeting IDF forces at any moment.
