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Hamas put 'Israel' in an existential crisis: The National Interest

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The National Interest
3 Nov 2023 22:55

The report suggests the threat today caused by the Palestinian Resistance group dealt a mighty blow to the occupation entity on key levels.

Masked members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, march during a rally in Gaza City, Gaza, on July 20, 2022 (AFP)

Nearly half a century after the Yom Kippur War, "Israel" confronts a new and complex threat that surpasses the existential military challenges it faced in 1973, The National Interest reported on Thursday.

According to the news website, back then, the conflict was predominantly a battlefield confrontation, where "Israel," despite heavy losses and casualties, was able to eventually shift the tides of battle. The survival of the Israeli entity was not questioned at that time, in contrast to the current confrontation.

Today's battles represent a conflict of a different nature—a political struggle that puts "Israel" in a precarious position, showing signs of faltering in the face of its adversary, the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas.

This scenario poses a more profound danger, as it challenges the very "legitimacy" of the entity in the international arena—a "legitimacy" that is being called into question by a broader audience, as per the report.

The Israeli public might contend that this perspective is incorrect, however, public perception is not easily swayed; it tends to persist, especially when images of devastation and massacres in Gaza reinforce and amplify the Palestinian Resistances' argument.

In a turn of events that casts a shadow over "Israel's" political landscape, it appears Hamas may have gained the upper hand in the public's eye. Central to the Israeli predicament is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who bears the weight of the entity's lack of preparedness and his quest for constitutional reforms that seemingly serve his interests.

Many world leaders who are generally supportive of the entity have expressed their distaste for Netanyahu, making it challenging for observers to take "Israel's" positions at face value while he is in power.

In the wake of the October 7 operation, Netanyahu's attempt to shift blame to intelligence officials—only to retract his statements amid public outcry—further underscores questions about his leadership and accountability.

Amidst the escalating battle, public trust in Netanyahu’s leadership has come under severe scrutiny. The Israeli community questions whether Netanyahu's strategies are influenced by national interests or by personal political survival, given his expected departure from the political scene post-war. Netanyahu, "Israel's" longest-serving premier, now seems to be searching for a triumph in the confrontation with Hamas, possibly to preserve his legacy from being marred by the current situation.

Netanyahu's refusal to acknowledge the broader political consequences has led to a pursuit of what is viewed as a mismanaged war, leaving Israelis to confront the harsh realities of their unpreparedness. The ongoing war, marked by large casualties among Palestinian civilians, only serves to diminish global support for the entity's actions.

The political fallout from the 1973 War facilitated the rise of the right-wing in "Israel", reshaping the Israeli political landscape. A similar shift is anticipated now, with potentially severe repercussions for Netanyahu and the right-wing factions.

Critics suggest that if Netanyahu desires to safeguard any semblance of his reputation, he should consider stepping down in favor of a unity government, to restore confidence both domestically and internationally.