Israel Transformed Region in Three Years Since Oct. 7

Three years after the October 7th attacks, Gilad Katz asserts that Israel has fundamentally altered the regional landscape, impacting adversaries ranging from Hamas and Hezbollah to Iran and Syria. He contends that criticisms leveled against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government are invalidated by the current regional reality. Katz argues that Israel has transitioned from a vulnerable state to the Middle East's strongest regional power, refuting what he calls "delusional" narratives propagated by political opponents and parts of the media. He specifically dismisses a recent "Haaretz" newspaper report alleging Netanyahu received precise early warnings before October 7th, calling it a "lie" that was disproven the same day. Katz also refutes claims that Netanyahu obstructed the release of hostages, citing an interview with U.S. Special Envoy Brett McGurk, who stated that Israel's military pressure on Hamas facilitated hostage releases. He points to Arab media, which he claims does not suggest Hamas, Hezbollah, or Iran have won, but rather acknowledge Israel's significant damage to its enemies. Economically, Katz highlights the Netanyahu government's investment of approximately 39 billion shekels over three years in aid for reservists and businesses, a sum he describes as unprecedented. Militarily, he states that Israel has killed 40,000 to 50,000 Hamas operatives in Gaza, eliminated most of its command structure, and destroyed extensive infrastructure, with the IDF controlling over 60% of the Strip. In Lebanon, he claims Israeli forces control southern Lebanon, reaching the Litani River in some areas, and that Hezbollah faces significant internal and international pressure. Regarding Iran, Katz asserts that the Israeli Air Force has operated freely in Iranian airspace, severely damaging Iran's leadership, nuclear program, and missile capabilities, leading to Iran's economic collapse and fear of direct confrontation with Israel. He also claims the Assad regime in Syria has collapsed, with Israeli forces controlling large areas of the Syrian Golan Heights. Katz concludes that Israel's transformation into a regional power is ongoing and depends on the continued leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he praises for his resolve in the face of international pressure and his prediction of regional change.