Israel launched three waves of airstrikes into Iran overnight in response to a series of attacks from Tehran over the past year. Prof. Kobi Michael tells The Sun how Israel’s next strike against Iran will “paralyse” the country.
October 26, 2024.
Ruth Wasserman Lande: So, allow me to point out that there is a difference in how the attack is perceived by people who may not be very familiar with its objectives, the extent of the damage inflicted, and other relevant factors. To some, it may appear limited compared to their expectations. However, in my humble opinion, the attack has indeed met its objectives, especially given the constraints associated with the upcoming U.S. elections.
First, allow me to say that the Iranians, or rather the Islamic Republic of Iran, have been attacking Israel for a very long time. Even before October 7th, rockets were raining down on civilians in southern Israel, and everyone seemed to accept this as a normal state of affairs that Israeli civilians should simply endure. However, October 7th has been a turning point.
I foresee that, at least for the time being, there will likely be calm until the American elections. However, I don’t believe this marks the end of the tit-for-tat exchanges, as you called them, between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran. One reason for this is Iran’s obsessive aggression against Israel.
Published in BBC – The Newshour, 26 October 2024.
Prof. Kobi Michael: Hezbollah and Hamas operate with a similar strategy based on the principle of embedding themselves deeply within civilian society, exploiting civilian facilities for terror purposes, and ultimately using civilians as human shields. This is in direct contrast to the IDF’s efforts to avoid harming the civilian population and its calls for everyone to evacuate the combat zones to ensure their safety. The IDF is focusing on two main objectives: first, to clear southern Lebanon, up to the Litani River, of all the terrorist nests that Hezbollah has prepared and planned for operations against northern Israel; and second, to address Hezbollah’s strategic arsenal, particularly its short- and long-range missiles.
The interview took place on the Sun on October 24, 2024.
Arsen Ostrovsky on U.S. Secretary Blinken’s recent visit to the region and criticism of the humanitarian aid going into Gaza, saying: If Washington really wants to help the situation in Gaza, it should “force Qatar and Turkey to pressure Hamas into accepting the U.S.-brokered deal and release of the hostages,” rather than “putting more pressure on Israel, who are already doing everything we can, while being forced to fight a seven-front war against Iran.
Published in JNS, October 23, 2024.
David M. Weinberg: This year, merriment will surely take a step back, with the traditional hakafot – circles of dancing – modulated by the addition of poems and prayers that focus on repair, redemption, resilience, and heroism.
That said, the elevation of Torah learning on Simchat Torah, along with the traditional prayers for prosperity on the simultaneous holiday of Shmini Atzeret, are serious religious milestones that cannot be eviscerated by Hamas. The Hamas invasion and massacre should be formally commemorated with all appropriate solemnity and solidarity on other days.
Published in The Jerusalem Post, October 20, 2024.
Israel’s military success against the Hezbollah terrorist army has opened the door for a diplomatic end to the war in Lebanon. In this Daily Briefing, Citizen Spokeswoman Ruth Wasserman Lande explains what Israel is demanding.
October 22, 2024.
Prof. Kobi Michael: In the end, Sinwar was the ultimate leader of Hamas, not only in the Gaza Strip, but he was also elected to replace Haniyeh as the head of the political wing, which means the leader of the entire organisation. So, the organisation, once again lost its head. But what is more crucial than that, it lost its most crucial centre of gravity in the Gaza Strip.
Published in The National, October 18, 2024.
Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser: Hezbollah has been significantly weakened and this undermines Iran’s deterrence and could prompt the regime to explore the nuclear option as a form of ultimate deterrence.
In light of Israeli successes, and in light of the fact that Trump could win the U.S. elections [scheduled for less than a month from now], this could strengthen those [in Iran] who support a breakout now. At the same time, they also have considerations that pull them in the opposite direction. Even if they discussed this, there is no expression that, at this time, they took a certain decision to move forward.
It’s a very high risk, especially in the current environment.
Published in JNS, October 16, 2024.
Ruth Wasserman Lande: The American elections are extremely challenging and sensitive. Does Israel need the United States by its side? Yes, it does. Is the United States currently sending a problematic message to Israel, preventing it from fully succeeding? Yes, it is. One of the main examples, aside from Iran, is in the Gaza Strip. If the United States had allowed Israel to act decisively and much earlier, it would have been the only leverage, aside from military force, that could push Hamas to release the hostages. Instead, American pressure is essentially providing Hamas with a lifeline, allowing them to steal humanitarian aid, sustain themselves, and continue engaging in terrorism, rather than creating sustainable sources of income for the people.
The interview took place on the I24 channel in English on October 16, 2024.
Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser: I expects Israel to strike Iranian nuclear sites in one of its “rounds” of attacks against Iran. Not only do I expect that, but I expect the international community to support us.
I believe this is true, because everybody has to understand this is not going to be a one-time attack by Israel.
Given Israel will be launching multiple rounds of attacks against Iran, we have to make sure the Americans know we are attentive to their concerns about wide-scale regional war.
The nuclear sites will have to be dealt with in the next round, if it’s not going to be dealt with this round.
Published in BBC, October 15, 2024.
