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In an unprecedented three-month operation, Israel systematically targeted and eliminated top leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, delivering significant blows to both groups' leadership. This decapitation strategy, which saw the killing of key figures including Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar, has left its mark on the so-called "axis of resistance," backed by Iran.

 

 

The elimination of Sinwar marked a symbolic victory for Israel, although it was not the result of a precise intelligence operation. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) unit that eventually killed Sinwar did not even realize his identity during the initial encounter. The soldier who delivered the fatal shot only discovered the significance of his act after the fact. Israel had been hunting Sinwar for months, with U.S. intelligence and special operations teams providing substantial support. Sinwar evaded capture multiple times before being caught by coincidence during an exchange of fire between Israeli forces and militants.

 

This operation followed a pattern that had been escalating since the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by Hamas. One of Israel’s primary objectives was to eliminate those responsible for orchestrating the attack. As the conflict expanded, Israeli forces began targeting leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, striking a significant blow to both groups' military capabilities. In mid-July, Israel achieved a major breakthrough with the assassination of Mohammed Deif, a commander of Hamas' military wing and a key figure in the October 7 attacks. This marked the first time Israel had successfully eliminated one of the main architects of the assault.

 

Hezbollah also suffered significant losses during this period. In Beirut, an Israeli airstrike killed Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's top military commander. The blow was one of the heaviest since the 2008 assassination of Imad Mughniyeh, Hezbollah’s previous military commander. Shortly after Shukr’s death, Israel executed another successful assassination in Tehran, killing Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas political leader, in a government guesthouse.

 

In an even more covert strike, Israel launched a clandestine attack against Hezbollah in mid-September, remotely detonating devices that killed thousands of Hezbollah members, including high-ranking officials. These coordinated attacks culminated in the assassination of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in his bunker in late September. Israel's airstrike also killed several other key figures, including Hezbollah’s southern front commander, Ali Karaki, and Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Nasrallah's successor, Hashim Safi al-Din, was killed within a week in another airstrike. 

 

The impact of this series of assassinations on Hamas and Hezbollah has been profound, severely disrupting their command structures. Israeli officials have claimed that much of the military leadership of both groups has been eliminated, while political figures are either dead or on the run. However, despite the damage inflicted, both groups remain resilient. 

 

Israel's military success has restored some of the deterrence it lost in the October 7 attacks. But even with many top leaders gone, Hamas and Hezbollah continue to resist and show no sign of surrendering. The challenge now lies in transforming these tactical victories into a broader strategy that secures Israel's long-term safety. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan acknowledged this in a recent speech, stressing the need for "discipline, courage, and foresight" to match military operations with clear strategic goals.

 

Though the decapitation operation has shifted the balance of power, finding an exit strategy from the ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon remains elusive for Israel. Key issues like securing the release of hostages, establishing governance in post-Hamas Gaza, and negotiating peace in Lebanon are yet to be resolved.

 

Based on a report from AXIOS 2024-10-22

 

 

 

[spidermike007]

If conventional thinking prevails the war should pretty much be over and Hamas and Hezbollah will surrender any day. Of course we know that won't happen, and this war may continue for years and years and years, and end up being Israel's equivalent of Vietnam.

 

I'm not sure what Netanyahu sees as an end game here. I think perhaps there is no end game, I think he simply loves war, loves killing, and is completely intoxicated with the power. I do not see this ending well for Israel. 

[mfd101]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

The challenge now lies in transforming these tactical victories into a broader strategy that secures Israel's long-term safety.

The Arab states won't take the Palestinians (who are mostly non-Arab in origin). Those that did take them in willy-nilly (Jordan & Lebanon) lived to regret it, with civil wars necessary to control or expel them (now ongoing in Lebanon).

 

Given their extremely mixed origins, you'ld have to say that their closed rellies are ... (wait for it) ... the Israelis. Funny that.

 

One-state solution in about 50 or 100 years is about all we can hope for. In the meantime nothing except more killing on all sides.

 

 

[jcmj]

Do they honestly believe that by killing the top dogs that no one will step in to retaliate? They are in for a rude awakening if they think this is anything close to over. The murder of the innocent people and children will never be tolerated and they will have their revenge. It goes both ways people. 

[jippytum]

Isralies are doing a good job of assasinating Hammas terrorists.  However there are no reports of decapitating them. 

[Watawattana]

2 minutes ago, jcmj said:

Do they honestly believe that by killing the top dogs that no one will step in to retaliate? They are in for a rude awakening if they think this is anything close to over. The murder of the innocent people and children will never be tolerated and they will have their revenge. It goes both ways people. 

Yeah.  Ever heard of the saying '2 wrongs don't make a right'?  Well in this conflict, ongoing since at least the middle of last century, it's been tens of thousands of wrongs and still not one right.

 

Yeah, the Israeli retaliation would be seen as 'right' by some, not going to argue against that, but ultimately it's just another wrong.  In a very long line of them.  Oh, and the planners and executors of the Oct 7th attacks were very, very wrong too.  But some would think that is a 'right'.  

[john donson]

damn they killed tupac shakur also ?

[300sd]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

If conventional thinking prevails the war should pretty much be over and Hamas and Hezbollah will surrender any day. Of course we know that won't happen, and this war may continue for years and years and years, and end up being Israel's equivalent of Vietnam.

 

I'm not sure what Netanyahu sees as an end game here. I think perhaps there is no end game, I think he simply loves war, loves killing, and is completely intoxicated with the power. I do not see this ending well for Israel. 

Really! You mean he shouldn't attack Hezbola in Lebanon for example. They have been flying missiles into Israel for a year now. Lebanese army doesn't stop it and neither does the UN so called peace keepers. They are complicit! Regarding Hamas: we all know who voted for them.

[JonnyF]

Decapitation?

 

I thought that was the preferred method of killing for Hamas, not the Israelis? When did the Israeli military start decapitating terrorists? 

[Donga]

One way or the other the world has to condemn and crush extremism on any level, not an easy task.

Best to start with by far with the most destructive for so many people, worldwide over decades, extreme Islam or Jihad. The shocking Iranian regime will be toppled, hopefully from the inside, sooner than later.

Israel is taking the lead, Western societies hopefully cotton-on before they are further consumed by anti-Western movements, which embrace the "oppressed". And the United Nations... as useful as tits on a bull, and complicit in sowing hatred with UNRWA. They require a major overhaul, with once Socialism International President, Guterres replaced by someone more centrist than a left wing shrill.

My wish is a two state solution supported by modern Arab states, the US and Israel with Netanyahu gone and a more sensitive Israeli government for the negotiations and integration into a vibrant Middle East economic zone.

Is it a dream?

[nglodnig]

Hamas say they are going to keep the identity of their next leader secret. That'd be interesting if he (no way it will be female) gives orders - is he going to wear a mask? Disguise his voice? Post anonymous messages?