On October 7, 2023, Hamas executed a devastating surprise attack on Israel, shattering the long-held belief that the country’s fortified southern border was impenetrable. Despite Israeli intelligence being aware of Hamas’s military preparations, the scale and audacity of the assault caught both the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and political leadership off guard. The attack led to widespread disillusionment within Israel, shaking the nation’s confidence in its security apparatus and laying bare the vulnerabilities of its government.
Hamas’s Attack and Israel’s Failure
The attack, which saw Hamas breach Israel’s defenses, not only caused tragic loss of life but also exposed deep flaws within Israel’s intelligence community. Both military and intelligence services, confident in their deterrence capabilities, were unprepared for such an unprecedented move. For years, the assumption had been that Israel’s military supremacy and tightly guarded borders would prevent any significant infiltration by Palestinian groups. That belief crumbled as Hamas not only invaded but kidnapped and killed Israeli citizens, shocking the nation. The immediate result was a profound crisis of confidence, as citizens questioned the very institutions designed to keep them safe.
Political Fallout: Netanyahu’s Resilience
In the wake of this disaster, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—often heralded as “Mr. Security”—faced a major political reckoning. Once seen as the steady hand guiding Israel through turbulent times, Netanyahu’s approval ratings plunged following the attack. Yet, through strategic maneuvering, he managed to survive the political storm. By placing blame on the IDF and the country’s security services, Netanyahu distanced himself from the intelligence failure, preserving his hold on power. His refusal to take responsibility for the security lapses that led to the attack and his handling of the hostage crisis in Gaza have only served to deepen political divisions in Israel.
Military Success and Political Stalemate
In response to Hamas’s attack, the IDF launched a large-scale military operation aimed at dismantling the group’s infrastructure in Gaza. Though the Israeli military has achieved notable tactical victories—destroying significant portions of Hamas’s capabilities and reducing Gaza to ruins—many Israelis remain dissatisfied. The conflict has not only failed to secure the release of Israeli hostages but has also brought about global economic downturns and left Israel politically isolated. Despite military successes, there is a growing sense that the country is locked in a stalemate. Hamas’s leadership remains intact, and the absence of a clear political resolution continues to fuel public dissatisfaction.
Expanding Conflict: Hezbollah and Regional Tensions
Adding to Israel’s woes, hostilities have expanded beyond Gaza, with the country now engaged in a multifront conflict. After Hamas’s initial strike, Hezbollah opened a second front in the north, prompting Israel to retaliate. Israel escalated the situation by assassinating Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, leading to a ground offensive into southern Lebanon. While some viewed this as an opportunity to restore national morale and confidence in Israel’s military, the broader conflict has only exposed the nation’s lack of long-term strategy for addressing the Palestinian issue and its growing entanglements with regional adversaries.
Internal Divisions
Rather than uniting Israeli society in the face of external threats, the multifront war has exacerbated existing internal divisions. Netanyahu’s far-right coalition has capitalized on the crisis to further its agenda of weakening democratic institutions and intensifying the suppression of the Palestinian movement. Among the most divisive issues is the exemption of Ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service, which has sparked resentment among other Israelis who are bearing the brunt of the war. Meanwhile, the government’s crackdown on Arab Israeli dissent and its increasingly authoritarian tendencies have led to a growing erosion of Israel’s democratic values. Far from fostering unity, these policies are deepening societal fissures.
Israel’s Global Position
Israel’s global standing has also suffered. Though it continues to receive U.S. support, Western nations have become more critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Sanctions and arms restrictions have been imposed, signaling a decline in international patience with Israel’s hardline approach. Yet Netanyahu’s government remains committed to an expansionist agenda, seemingly unfazed by the diplomatic and reputational costs. The international community’s growing unease with Israel’s policies has led to a sense of isolation, as foreign airlines cut flights to Tel Aviv and Israel’s credit ratings sink.
Future of Israeli Democracy
The article closes with a grim assessment of Israel’s political trajectory. The prolonged military campaign in Gaza and Lebanon, coupled with Netanyahu’s autocratic tendencies, threatens to erode the country’s democratic fabric. As the government continues to pursue aggressive policies in the Palestinian territories, many fear that Israel is slipping toward a future marked by apartheid-like conditions in the West Bank and Gaza, and increased autocracy at home.
Rather than addressing the underlying causes of the October 7 attack, Israel’s leadership appears to be doubling down on policies that may lead to further internal instability. While military success has been achieved on the battlefield, the political and social costs continue to mount. The paradox facing Israel is clear: military strength alone cannot secure long-term peace or stability. The nation’s democratic values and international standing hang in the balance as it navigates this precarious moment in its history.
Conclusion
In sum, Israel’s current situation reflects the paradox of military success coupled with political and societal failure. Though the IDF has succeeded in its operations, the country is more divided, economically strained, and internationally isolated than before. The future of Israel’s democracy is in jeopardy, as Netanyahu’s government prioritizes hardline policies over national healing and political reconciliation. Without a clear shift in strategy, Israel may find itself increasingly alienated both internally and on the world stage, struggling to balance its security needs with its democratic values.
Shariq Us Sabah is a published writer and can be contacted at [email protected]
