How Israel Responds on Five Fronts

Shmuel Rosner at the Jewish Journal writes that Israel faces enemies on five fronts:

Consider this: There are attacks, counterattacks, maneuvers and threats. Israel is active on five fronts: the West Bank, where violence is contained and yet the situation is volatile; Gaza, where violence threatens to erupt daily; Syria, where Iranian forces keep trying to form a base against Israel that Israel won’t allow; Lebanon, where pro-Iranian forces feel compelled to act in response to Israeli actions; and Iraq, where Israel reportedly operates as part of the war against Iranian expansion.

Fiamma Nirenstein, writing at The Algemeiner, makes clear that Iran is behind much of the threat on Israel's borders:

Iran’s efforts to entrench itself on Israel’s borders have gradually made it a constant presence for Israelis. Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the south, and Hezbollah in the north, are all funded and armed by this leading state sponsor of terrorism. An explosion is always around the corner, and Israel must often act swiftly to contain the threat, as was the case on Sunday, when Israel foiled an attack by Hezbollah.

 

Beyond its permanent presence in Lebanon and Gaza, Iran is also seeking to entrench itself in Syria. It is already a prominent presence in Iraq (where Israel has reportedly attacked Iran-linked weapons depots and militias) and is fighting a war in Yemen against Saudi Arabia using its Houthi proxies.

 

It is vital to remember that the Islamic Republic considers the entire Western world to be its enemy, which must be defeated in order to establish a global Islamic empire.

How does Israel deal with this reality? Through an innovative military approach called "Campaign Between Wars" or CBW. Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot and Col. Gabi Siboni (Res.) offer an analysis of CBW, published by the Washington Institute. They write:

Deviating from the binary approach of either preparing for war or openly waging it, the CBW strives for proactive, offensive actions based on extremely high-quality intelligence and clandestine efforts. The strategy’s main goals are straightforward:

• Delay war and deter enemies by constantly weakening their force buildup processes and damaging their assets and capabilities.
• Enhance Israel’s legitimacy for exertion of force while damaging the enemy’s legitimacy, in part by exposing clandestine military activities that violate international law.
• Create optimal conditions for the IDF if war finally does come.

... The doctrine has greatly strengthened Israeli deterrence against its regional enemies, reduced threats to the state and its citizens, and improved the IDF’s capabilities. It has also led to a broad and sustained initiative against the region’s most destabilizing actors: Iran’s Qods Force, Hezbollah, and the Islamic State.

 

...As for Israel itself, the CBW has enabled a robust period of security and prosperity, especially since the last major Gaza conflict in 2014. These gains are reflected in the economy, the tourism sector, and the continued development seen in Israel’s southern and northern regions. The campaign has enjoyed international support, gained freedom of action (facilitated by an understanding with the United States and Russia), and improved regional cooperation. Meanwhile, the IDF has seen unprecedented strengthening of its readiness for war, including increased armaments and reserves. Israel aims to continue the CBW in the future, refining it according to regional developments.