An overdue reflection on the third anniversary of the Simchat Torah massacre (October 7) and the out

An overdue reflection on the third anniversary of the Simchat Torah massacre (October 7) and the outbreak of the Swords of Iron war.

Here is the situation, as briefly as possible:

1. Israelis are sitting in cafés, flying abroad for vacations, visiting parks, and shopping in malls.
2. Gaza: Hamas is unable to fire at us. Communities along the Gaza border have perhaps never experienced this level of quiet.

No hostages remain, including those held since 2014.

Nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip is under Israeli control, and Israel continues to operate and advance there. These achievements did not come in exchange for withdrawal or acceptance of Hamas rule. On the contrary, even Arab and Muslim countries are declaring that Hamas must be dismantled.

1. Lebanon: Israel maintains a security zone inside Lebanon, while the area extending to the Litani River remains evacuated.

The Lebanese government publicly opposes Hezbollah and is trying to curb its influence and remove its grip on the country.

It is also openly opposing Iran, the head of the octopus itself, declaring that Lebanon is a sovereign country with no place for Iranian interference.

Beyond that, Lebanon now officially recognizes Israel and acknowledges the Israeli presence on its territory.

1. Syria: The Assad regime has collapsed, and al-Julani’s Sunni forces have taken power, creating another front hostile to Hezbollah.

Israel maintains a security zone inside Syria and controls Mount Hermon’s summit. From that strategic position, it can observe areas deep inside both Syria and Lebanon, gather intelligence, and strengthen its defenses.

1. The Houthis: Israel has eliminated their political leadership and senior military command in an impressive military operation, accomplishing something even the United States did not achieve.

Even Saudi Arabia is asking Israel for help in confronting them.

1. Iran: What more needs to be said?

Khamenei’s funeral underscored the scale of the change. He is gone, and even his son and successor, Mojtaba, did not attend. Whether that was because he is no longer alive, is physically incapacitated, or is remaining in hiding is unclear.

Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs have suffered devastating blows. Israel’s standing and confidence have risen dramatically, while Iran has suffered severe damage to its prestige, currency, and legitimacy.

1. Qatar: Israel struck it on its own territory, shattering its sense of immunity and making clear that it cannot assume it is beyond reach.

Yes, even when the Americans object.

Something to consider for those who insist Israel is merely an American client state.

1. The leaders: Yahya Sinwar is dead, as is his brother and successor. Hassan Nasrallah is dead, as is his successor, Hashem Safieddine. Ismail Haniyeh, Khamenei, and Abu Obeida, Hamas’s longtime spokesman, are also dead.

So are dozens of other senior leaders and successors across the Iranian axis, including the Houthis, the Revolutionary Guards, Hezbollah, and Hamas.

Beyond them, hundreds of aides, nuclear scientists, and thousands of terrorists have been eliminated across the Middle East and beyond.

1. So many enormous, historic developments have unfolded that we sometimes forget their significance and move straight on to the next headline.

We have become almost numb to events that once would have seemed unimaginable.

As familiar as the comparison may sound, remember where we stood on October 6, 2023. Even looking back just eighteen months puts the scale of these changes into perspective.

We began this war with Joe Biden in the White House. Along the way, we feared that Kamala Harris might succeed him.

NATO has suffered a severe blow. UNRWA, the UN, the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and UNIFIL in Lebanon have all failed to force Israel into submission.

Israel now occupies an extraordinary and historic strategic position.

Despite the high cost of living, many Israelis continue to travel abroad several times a year and own more than one vehicle per household.