Will Israel’s reputation and security survive this war?

9 December 2024, 11.29am

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From the Israeli government’s perspective, the wars against Hezbollah and Hamas are going well. Most of Gaza is under control and the northern third is slowly being cleared of Palestinians. There is plenty of talk of Jewish settlers moving in before long and it seems accepted that Gaza will be garrisoned by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) for years to come.  

As for Hezbollah, Israel has managed to successfully assassinate most of its leadership and substantially damage its extensive weapons stores. Meanwhile, Israel has warned Lebanese that any breaking of the current pause in fighting will be met with massive force directed not just against Hezbollah but also against Lebanese society more generally.

Beyond Gaza and Lebanon, Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are being expanded – while Palestinians’ rights across the territory are subject to ever closer control, with thousands arrested and hundreds killed. Any resistance is met with considerable force and harsh punishment.

Israel may have seen its international status suffer but that is of little concern to the government, given that the US is fully supportive and is backed up loyally by the UK. In any case, with Trump’s presidency barely a month away, Israel’s longer-term position seems as safe as it can be.

If only it was that simple for them, but the bigger picture is so much more complicated. When the fighting eased a week or so ago, at least 60,000 Israelis were still cut off from their homes and businesses close to the border. Few of them headed home when fighting eased. Instead, they stayed put.