Israel's best strategic position in decades

(JNS) — One year ago, our enemies launched an unprecedented assault on the Jewish state. On Oct. 7, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran’s proxy terror network unleashed an unprecedented and heinous massacre to kill as many Jews as possible and destroy the State of Israel. Decades in the making, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Qatar, and yes, the Palestinian Authority plotted together, united by a common goal: to wipe Israel off the map.

Despite knowing about such plans over the years, Israel chose to hold back. No Israeli government, including those led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has taken decisive action to prevent our enemies from executing their ultimate strategy until now.

The horrific atrocities of Oct. 7 finally forced Israel to make bold, historic decisions to secure the country’s future and change the strategic landscape of the region.

A year later, we find ourselves living through an extraordinary moment in Israel’s history. Under constant threat for decades and surrounded by Iranian and Qatari-backed terror groups, Hezbollah was seen as the largest deterrent for taking pre-emptive action. At least this was the argument against eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities, that, if provoked, Hezbollah’s arsenal could easily destroy Israel.

After a year of incredible effort, national support and bold (albeit overdue) decisions, Israel is demonstrating its capabilities by obliterating the threat of Hamas in Gaza, neutralizing Hezbollah in Lebanon, and even openly discussing action against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Israel is in a stronger and more secure strategic position than it has been in decades.

Through it all, Netanyahu has faced enormous pressure regarding Israel’s operations in Gaza, particularly from the Biden-Harris administration. The United States took a very vocal position against Israel’s offensive actions, especially in Rafah, a critical conduit for smuggling weapons into Gaza from Egypt. Understanding the importance of cutting off this lifeline, Netanyahu pushed through and began dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure.

Additionally, Netanyahu had to overcome opposition from within his own ranks. Fearful of a prolonged conflict, senior Israel Defense Forces and intelligence officials were hesitant to fully commit to an offensive. Though they cautioned against taking certain risks, the prime minister understood that half-measures would only prolong the threat and leave Israel exposed.

Likewise, on Israel’s northern border, the threat of Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal prevented Israel from taking offensive action. The thought of another conflict with Hezbollah was enough to paralyze decision-makers, including senior IDF commanders, intelligence officials, and political leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid. They were ready to throw in the towel and stop a war with Lebanon. But Netanyahu didn’t listen to those voices. In a series of daring, James Bond-like operations, Israel took out Hezbollah’s mid-level leadership with precision-targeted attacks that eliminated its command structure.

These strikes were a turning point in the war against Hezbollah, whose long-range rocket attacks are also being disrupted. And as it did in Gaza, the IDF is systematically dismantling Hezbollah’s vast tunnel network and confiscating weapons the terror group stored to use in a massive infiltration, which would have been worse than the Oct. 7 attack.

In another display of daring, Netanyahu took out Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in the heart of Beirut. He did so without informing the Biden administration and, in true Israeli fashion, aimed to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. (And for the record, rather than forgiveness, the United States owes Israel its thanks for eliminating an evil dictator with American blood on his hands.)

Despite the pain and tragedy of Oct. 7, Israel is in a far better situation strategically than it has been at any time since its founding in 1948. Sadly, it took the horrors of that fateful day to awaken the Jewish spirit and finally do what was needed to defend ourselves. Today, we are a stronger, better-prepared nation, ready to face our enemies.

Netanyahu’s leadership has been instrumental in achieving this reality. He has demonstrated that Israel will not be bullied or dictated to when it comes to its survival. As the only freedom-loving country in the region, Israel is willing to take on Iran, the largest state sponsor of terror in the world, and destroy its capabilities, which threatens not just Israel but the entire region.

Israel is at the point where it can take the fight to its enemies. The threat of Hamas in Gaza is being neutralized, Hezbollah’s infrastructure is being dismantled and offensive strikes are also destroying terrorist strongholds in Judea and Samaria. Israel is no longer waiting for the next attack. Rather, it is taking the upper hand to prevent future attacks.

As we begin the new Jewish year, we begin it with hope. Israel is safer and stronger, having taken decisive action to ensure a more secure future, not just for itself but for the entire Middle East and the freedom-loving world. The pain, mourning and trauma of Oct. 7 continues, along with a stronger Israel that is shaping the future of the region and the world with a renewed sense of purpose.