Walter Russell Mead is the Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at Hudson Institute, the Global View Columnist at The Wall Street Journal and the James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College in New York.
He is also a member of Aspen Institute Italy and board member of Aspenia. Before joining Hudson, Mr. Mead was a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations as the Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy. He has authored numerous books, including the widely-recognized Special Providence: American Foreign Policy and How It Changed the World (Alfred A. Knopf, 2004). Mr. Mead’s next book is entitled The Arc of A Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Future of the Jewish People.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has recently attacked Israel with a barrage of rockets sent from the Gaza Strip. While the attack left three Israeli citizens dead and several more injured, the country emerged more resilient and powerful than ever.
The failed attack on October 7th was one of the fiercest and most unrelenting attacks since the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict. Hamas, the militant group that rules Gaza, sought to inflict untold destruction on the country with their barrage of more than 450 rockets and mortars. Israel, for their part, responded with great force.
However, the attack did not arise from a resurgent Hamas, but rather the organization was showing its waning power. Since the 2014 conflict, Hamas has been trying to reassert its might with no success. The October 7th attack was an act of desperation, as they realized they could not compete militarily with Israel.
Despite the formidable threat, Israel managed to respond swiftly and effectively. Its Iron Dome air defense system was able to intercept and neutralize the incoming rockets, while surface-to-surface missiles were dispatched from its navy. Israeli jets attacked more than 160 targets in the Gaza Strip, including a number of military compounds used by Hamas.
The operation displayed the strength of Israel’s military capabilities, in that it showcased the country’s quick reaction and adaptability to changing tactics. Israeli forces were determined to eradicate the threat posed by Hamas and responded with decisive action and calculated precision.
The operation also highlighted the professionalism of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Every member of the IDF rose to the occasion and fulfilled their duties as expected. IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi acknowledged the bravery and professionalism of his troops as well as the successful mission.
In the end, the Oct. 7 Hamas attack failed to gain any ground, and achieved nothing other than minor damages. Israel emerged stronger from this attack as they realized what measures were needed to protect their country, both militarily and psychologically. The strength of Israel’s forces and the unity of its people have been reinforced following this attack, and Hamas’ power has been significantly weakened. As a result, the safety of Israel has been assured and ensured.
