Israel again finds itself in a state of low-intensity conflict on multiple fronts, playing a risky waiting game in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen. Jerusalem should aim to end this dynamic, which echoes Israel’s failed defense doctrine, as soon as possible.
The ambiguous and indecisive half-war mode is a recipe for trouble, writes journalist Avi Ashkenazi in Maariv Online. The article urges Israel to swiftly determine and execute its next military moves.
In Gaza, Israel’s renewed military operations against Hamas and Islamic Jihad are characterized by sporadic airstrikes and targeted raids. In parallel, limited rocket fire on southern Israel has resumed.
Terrorists are largely avoiding active combat for now, but guerilla attacks on Israeli troops could come next. While Hamas military capabilities are severely degraded, the group uses Israel’s reluctance to fully re-engage to hold on to power in Gaza.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah only faces limited Israeli strikes as it continues to quietly engage in military activities and works to rebuild its power. Rockets fired at northern Israel on the weekend triggered a wave of IDF airstrikes, as an imperfect ceasefire persists.
Meanwhile, in Yemen, renewed Houthi missile attacks aim to disrupt air traffic to Israel as foreign airlines watch with growing concern. Israel is currently not responding, as the US military campaign in Yemen continues. [Here’s a detailed report about the Israel-Houthi showdown]
Inefficient limited war
Without a clear strategy—whether escalation to dismantle threats or diplomatic resolution—Israel cedes the initiative. Hezbollah’s resilience in Lebanon, Hamas persistence in Gaza, and the Houthi audacity in Yemen are drawing Israel into protracted conflicts, keeping it in a state of inefficient limited war.
Moreover, low-level engagements allow Israel’s enemies to regroup, rearm, and probe weaknesses, potentially setting the stage for more serious attacks in the future.
Ultimately, the low-intensity approach avoids immediate broader escalation but risks fostering complacency—a flaw reminiscent of Israel’s pre-October 7 doctrine. Before that day, Israel relied heavily on “conflict management,” prioritizing deterrence over decisive action. This ended very badly.
As history shows, half-measures rarely secure lasting peace or security in the volatile Middle East. Israel’s leadership must act decisively to avoid repeating this costly mistake.