Israel Will Not Suffer a Setback from Its Latest Strike on Hizballah

Jan. 20 2015

A recent Israeli attack on a Hizballah convoy in Syria killed high-ranking members of the terrorist organization and an Iranian general. Although Hizballah has issued the usual threats of revenge, Walter Russell Mead argues that Israel has the clear upper hand:

Spread thin in Syria, and with all its combat energy focused on propping up [Bashar] al-Assad, Hizballah is probably not ready to take on the Israelis in a big way. But if Hizballah follows through with its threats and responds to the Israeli attack with a counterattack, the inevitable devastating Israeli response will degrade Hizballah’s war-making capacity and quite possibly tilt the battle in Syria against the [Hizballah-Assad-Iran alliance]. . . .

The Israeli strike [also] leaves Iran with nothing but ugly choices. The war in Syria is turning into a war of attrition, and the combination of sanctions and a collapsing oil price make it harder for Iran to keep propping up its clients. Serious hostilities between Hizballah and Israel would likely change the balance of power in Syria, further undercutting Assad, and inflicting damage on Hizballah that Iran will be hard put to make good.

Read more at American Interest

More about: Benjamin Netanyahu, Hizballah, Iran, Israeli military, Politics & Current Affairs, Syrian civil war

What’s Behind Hamas’s Threat to Stall the Release of Hostages, and How Israel Should Respond

Feb. 12 2025

Hamas declared yesterday that it won’t release more hostages “until further notice.” Given the timing and wording of the announcement—several days before the release was supposed to take place, and speaking of a delay rather than a halt—Ron Ben-Yishai concludes that it is a negotiating tactic, aimed at “creating a temporary crisis to gain leverage.” Therefore, writes Ben-Yishai, “Hamas may reverse its decision by Saturday.” He adds:

Israel cannot afford to concede to Hamas’s demands beyond what is already outlined in the agreement, as doing so would invite continuous extortion throughout the negotiation process, further delaying hostage releases.

The group sees the public outrage and growing calls for action following the release of hostages in severe medical condition as an opportunity to extract more concessions. These demands include not only a rapid start to negotiations on the next phase of the deal and an end to the war but also smaller, immediate benefits, particularly improved conditions for displaced Gazans.

Beyond these tactical objectives, Hamas has another goal—one that Israelis do not always recognize: inflicting psychological pain on the Israeli public. The group benefits from, and perhaps even draws strength from, the anguish and emotional distress in Israel, as well as the testimonies of freed hostages detailing the abuse they endured. Hamas wants these stories to be heard—not only to pressure the Israeli government but also because, in the eyes of its supporters, Israel’s suffering is its ultimate victory.

Read more at Ynet

More about: Gaza War 2023, Hamas, Israeli Security