The Hamas attack on Israel created the Pearl Harbor situation

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the radical faction of the Palestinians, is poised to reshape the dynamics between Israel and the surrounding Islamic world, potentially leading to a new status quo in the region.

Hamas's recent attack on Israel, occurring on the 50th anniversary of Yom Kippur and even on the sacred day of Shabbat, carries profound significance. In Israel, the timing, scale, and suddenness of the terrorist attack were reminiscent of a doomsday scenario, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The Yom Kippur War of 1973 resulted in Israel's victory over the Egyptian-Syrian coalition, providing the nation with 50 years of enhanced security guarantees. The current conflict, albeit with a more limited set of adversaries, is seen as a move to secure Israel's safety for the next half-century.

Israel is now preparing for a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip with the objective of eradicating the hostile presence entirely. Prime Minister Netanyahu has declared his commitment to waging a comprehensive war against Hamas. Possible future targets may include Hamas and Hezbollah installations in Lebanon and Syria, as well as nuclear facilities and other sites in Iran. The Israeli populace has likened the terrorist attack to the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor, an event that drew the United States into World War II against the Germany-Japan axis.

Israeli experts anticipate an inevitable ground operation, the division of the Gaza Strip into three autonomous regions, and the complete dismantling of the terrorist network, including underground facilities involved in missile and weapons production.

While some experts have expressed concerns about the potential opening of a second front by other states, the disunity and conflicting national interests within the Islamic world make this scenario less likely. Initial reactions from Islamic governments have shown cautious and balanced approaches. Some fanatical Islamists in countries like Pakistan and Iran have displayed solidarity, but this sentiment is less evident in Gulf nations and Turan countries. In recent years, Israel has managed to establish constructive relations with several Muslim nations, and these countries are unlikely to jeopardize their strategic gains for the sake of terrorism.

The responses of major powers will also play a pivotal role in shaping the crisis. The United States has swiftly expressed full support for Israel, its primary Middle Eastern ally, while Russia, a key sponsor of Arab militancy, has refrained from harsh judgments. Even Tehran, Hamas's sponsor, has distanced itself from radical support for the group.

The operation to clear Gaza of Hamas is complicated by the presence of over 2 million Palestinian residents and Hamas's willingness to use this population as a shield. Nevertheless, Israel finds itself compelled to bring Operation Iron Swords to its conclusion. The escalation of violence was triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel, but it is now evident that Hamas has been steadily amassing forces since it took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 with the strategic goal of destroying Israel. In Tel Aviv, this impending conflict was likely seen as inevitable, only a matter of time. The scale of the current attack provides Israel with the opportunity to eliminate the anti-Israeli threat in its rear comprehensively.

The 1973 Yom Kippur War lasted for 19 days, from October 6 to October 25. The current conflict's hot phase may be relatively short in duration, but its consequences are expected to have a profound impact on the geopolitics of the region, potentially diminishing the role of terrorism in regional politics.