Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the Soroka Hospital in the southern city of Beersheba, after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran on June 19, 2025. Israel's defence minister warned that Iran's supreme leader "can no longer be allowed to exist" after a hospital was hit in an Iranian missile strike on June 19, spiking tensions in the week-old war. (Photo by Marc Israel SELLEM / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
With a series of powerful strikes against Iran and its proxies, Israel has reasserted its military dominance in the Middle East, reshaping the region less than two years after being caught off guard by a surprise attack. The recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran, following 12 days of intense airstrikes, may temporarily halt major battles that began with the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023. However, the Middle East still grapples with unresolved issues.
Despite the military successes, Israel and its adversaries have not resolved their political disputes, some of which have been further inflamed by the violence. Moreover, Israel’s international reputation has suffered due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties.
Israel’s Strategic Military Campaign
For decades, Israel has viewed Iran as its most formidable enemy. From the initial strike on June 13, Israel’s air force dominated the skies over Iran, targeting nuclear sites and military facilities, and eliminating key leaders. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claimed victory, but former U.S. President Donald Trump countered, stating,
“You got beat to hell.”
This military campaign follows Israel’s conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which severely weakened both groups. Additionally, the ousting of Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad, although not directly linked to Israel, removed another regional rival aligned with Iran.
The Collapse of Iran’s Proxy Network
Iran spent years building a network of proxies, known as the “axis of resistance,” to pressure Israel. This led to a tense regional standoff. However, recent developments have demonstrated Israel’s military superiority, particularly with U.S. support.
Hussein Ibish of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington remarked,
“The Iranian camp is decimated and beaten to smithereens.”
The severity of the Hamas attack, which resulted in over 1,100 Israeli deaths in a single day, prompted a massive Israeli response. Ibish noted that Hamas should have anticipated this reaction.
Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader behind the October attack, aimed to incite a regional war against Israel. However, support from allies like Hezbollah and the Houthis was limited. Sinwar’s actions inadvertently set off a chain of events that realigned the region, albeit not as he intended.
The Limits of Military Power
Despite military successes, Israel has not resolved the political issues, particularly concerning the Palestinians. The conflict in Gaza continues, with Israel conducting regular attacks and Palestinians suffering high casualties. Palestinian health officials report over 56,000 deaths, mostly women and children.
The Palestinian call for statehood remains strong, generating support across the region and the West, including political protests and legal actions such as a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Hussein Ibish commented,
“It’s become a very serious case indeed.”
Before the Gaza conflict, Israel was making diplomatic progress in the Arab world, with the U.S. pushing for formal ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, the Saudis have paused these efforts, pending progress on a political deal with the Palestinians.
Future Implications and Regional Dynamics
Israel’s recent actions have strained its relationship with the U.S., though the alliance remains strong, as evidenced by U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a hero.
Vali Nasr of Johns Hopkins University noted,
“The Israel that has come out of October 7th and the Gaza war is confident. It wants to settle its security issues around the region once and for all.”
However, the outcome is uncertain. If Israel fails to secure its objectives, the region may revert to a dangerous stalemate.
As Israel navigates these complex dynamics, the Middle East faces an uncertain future, with potential shifts in power and alliances that could redefine the region’s geopolitical landscape.
