(Israel Hayom) Meir Ben Shabbat - A year into the war, Iran's network of proxy organizations arrayed against Israel is beginning to unravel as Iran is losing two critical footholds it had established on Israel's borders. Across the Middle East and beyond, there is growing recognition that Iranian involvement often brings destruction and instability. Ironically, the proxy organizations Iran cultivated to avoid direct confrontation with its adversaries are now entangling Tehran in precisely such scenarios. This occurs at a time when Iran's capabilities are constrained. From Israel's standpoint, despite being drawn into this conflict rather than initiating it, the strategic objective is to dismantle the threat Iran has constructed around its borders. Israel's stated goal of enabling residents of northern Israel to safely return home requires meeting three conditions: First, eliminating the threat of incursions into Israeli territory by ensuring the absence of tunnels or Hizbullah forces in the border area. Second, neutralizing the threat of anti-tank fire from Lebanese territory toward Israel, requiring the removal of Hizbullah forces from within striking range. The third condition involves maintaining this new status quo over time. The writer, a former Israeli national security advisor, is chairman of the Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy in Jerusalem.
2024-10-18 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive