Iran's grand plan, which was exposed on October 7, is falling apart. Although Mohammed Def's call to Iran and Hezbollah to join the assault on Israel has gone unanswered, Tehran is doing everything it can to prevent Hamas from losing control of Gaza, but to no avail.
As we prepare for our oldest son to begin a tremendous milestone in less than a year – his freshman year in college – we find we lack the usual excitement & anticipation or even the typical frustrations that are part and parcel of the college application process.
Instead of preferring moderate intensity over an extended period, it is best to increase intensity over a shorter duration. Continued public support for the IDF's activities is vital, especially in dealing with an enemy that knows Israeli society well and plans its moves with awareness of its sensitivities.
Blinken's record – from Iran to Ukraine – is dismal. But he has managed to drag Biden away from his pro-Israel stance, undermining Israel's achievements in the war.
Israel will likely reject any proposal that leaves Hamas as the central player in the strip that lacks demilitarization or imposes restrictions on IDF activity. To change the deadlock, it is vital to increase pressure on Hamas and Qatar in all areas, and push them into a reality similar to the one that led to the previous deal.
The current Gaza war creates a historic opportunity to change the region and the fate of the refugees. Changing old concepts is not only about Israel’s security doctrine but also about the future of the region.
Israel and Hezbollah have overlapping interests in the short term and conflicting ones in the long term.
Israel wants American backing for the inevitable flare-up in the north – a campaign the administration has been determined to prevent. Israel may need an American veto in the Security Council against a future ruling by the International Court of Justice.
With an extremely high percentage of support for Hamas, as long as a strong, organized and armed core of the terrorist organization manages to remain in the Gaza Strip, it will continue to be the dominant power.
The International Court of Justice convenes this week to discuss the South African petition against Israel over "genocide." Any ruling, despite lacking a direct impact, could have a major snowball effect.