Tunnel Vision: Israel’s Relentless Fight to Win
After over a year of intense conflict, it’s fair to say that Israel hasn’t achieved all it set out to do. Yet, recent military and intelligence actions from Israel suggest that it’s been making up for lost time. Covert operations by top secret agents like Eli Kopter, Tami Arba, and Kadur Barosh have pushed Israel’s efforts forward in significant ways, reminding the world that Israel hasn’t forgotten how to get things done.
From the war’s outset, Prime Minister Netanyahu set three clear objectives: defeat Hamas, bring our hostages home, and secure Gaza to prevent future threats. So, where do we stand after a year? There are still 101 hostages in Gaza, with Hamas showing no inclination to release them and no Palestinian civilians willing to aid the IDF’s rescue efforts. This goal has yet to be achieved although some element of justice has been served for them with the recent death of Yahya Sinwar—the man they call the mastermind behind October 7th. He finally got his day of reckoning with The Almighty—only slightly overdue.
Sinwar, that “brave” leader, made a slithering escape into Rafah’s tunnels on October 6th, 2023, dragging his family along. His wife, of course, smirked confidently with her luxury Birkin handbag in tow. All this while the children of Gaza starved above ground. Perhaps this is the reality they embraced when the citizens of Gaza threw their support behind Hamas. Was this the future they envisioned? It’s hard to say, though the tragedy of how Gaza ended up here is clear. Since 2005, the Palestinians have governed Gaza. Time and again, we heard how it could have become the “Singapore of the Mediterranean.” Instead, it chose the scenic route of terror and chaos, conveniently perched on Israel’s doorstep.
Returning Gaza to a stable, secure region remains a significant challenge and one Israel has yet to achieve, but progress is being made. Recent weeks have seen Israel landing some serious punches. Hezbollah’s leadership has been shattered, brought to heel with little more than a beep on a pager. And Israel’s efforts against Iran continue, calculated and deliberate, as Iran learns firsthand the consequences of challenging Israel. Stay tuned for the conclusion of their case of FAFO, soon to be delivered.
Now, about Hamas – spoiler alert: their end is in sight. The IDF’s operations in Gaza have been systematic and relentless, eliminating large swaths of their militants, and uncovering a web of terror tunnels beneath hospitals, schools, mosques, and neighborhoods. Above ground, their strongholds lie in ruins.
Then there’s Rafah. When the IDF made its way there on May 6th, all the “experts” chimed in: “Rafah is a joke”, “Rafah is nonsense”, “Rafah is a spin”, “a horrible strategic mistake” – obvious to be true after studying the maps. Yet there, amidst the rubble, we found Sinwar: handless, hiding among the wreckage, reduced to a pitiful sight. He didn’t die like a dog. He died like a sewer rat. His death was the direct result of the IDF’s campaign in Rafah, where the IDF uncovered multiple terror tunnels reaching into Egypt, violating Israeli sovereignty. Tragically, the remains of six murdered hostages—Carmel, Hersh, Eden, Ori, Alex, and Almog, z”l—were found nearby, believed to have been with Sinwar until their deaths, just days before what could have been their rescue.
One thing is clear from these events: the so-called experts, politicians, and media commentators have a knack for confidently declaring Israel’s approach as misguided, wrong, or impossible. Western leaders didn’t miss a beat in offering their unsolicited advice. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Israel to “refrain from any ground incursion.” Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said he could “in no way” support the IDF’s offensive in Rafah, while Canada, Australia, and New Zealand collectively cautioned Israel against this course of action.
The words of author Michael Hopf echo here: “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.” It seems like some Western leaders have perfected the art of not winning—whether it’s with their economy, immigration, and certainly with war. At this point, it’s practically a specialty. Now more than ever, the world needs principled, strong leaders who can stand up, step forward, and turn things around for their country and the world.
For Israel, the takeaway is clear: Israel must press on with their three goals and do so humbly. No foreign leader or self-appointed expert understands Israel’s security needs better than Israel does. With Netanyahu aligned with the IDF, Israel remains focused—on bringing our hostages home, securing Gaza, and eradicating Hamas once and for all.
Onwards and upwards to total victory.