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Aggressive Moves by Iran Require Response
(Israel Hayom) Meir Ben Shabbat - It appears that Washington is seeking to leverage the tensions with Iran to accelerate the promotion of a regional arrangement that would also include Gaza. It can be assumed that administration officials are trying to secure Israeli agreement to end the war in Gaza in a way that would allow the Iranians to market it as an achievement. The position of Israel's political echelon is that a ceasefire in Gaza should be limited in time and without giving up Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor and the Netzarim Corridor. At this point, concessions beyond this on Israel's part will provide a lifeline to Hamas and allow it to recover, consolidate its governance, and renew military capabilities. The causes of the current clash between Israel and Iran lie in the aggressive moves the regime is taking to realize its vision of achieving regional hegemony and destroying Israel. The ring of fire that this regime has built around Israel through its many proxy forces is one component. Its significance was well demonstrated in the current war. An additional component is the regime's advanced efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. Iran's moves pose an existential threat to Israel. Israel is behaving as required in the face of such a threat, demonstrating determination, self-confidence, and high intelligence and operational capabilities. In Iran and Lebanon, they are well aware of the damage Israel can inflict on their critical infrastructures. The Iranian threat is a challenge not only for Israel. Iran is a key player in shaping the axis of countries opposing the U.S. and the West. Its influence and actions do not stop at the borders of the Middle East. There are red lines whose crossing will compel Israel to act. This is well understood in Tehran, Beirut, and Washington. The writer, a former Israeli national security advisor, is chairman of the Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy in Jerusalem.