With U.S. Weapons, Israel's New Strategy Is Redefining Military Power In The Middle East

The combination of Israeli intelligence and U.S.-built weapons systems has enabled the Israel Defense Force to conduct a new strategic campaign against its adversaries.

That marked a turnaround for Israel. A year ago, Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7, 2023 demonstrated how woefully unprepared Israel was, psychologically, even more than physically, to deal with a coalition of adversaries bent on its total destruction. Tragically, a combination of hubris, complacency and underinvestment in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and its supporting industrial base resulted in Hamas’ initial successful attack from Gaza. Successive governments and Israeli society took false comfort in the belief that their country’s enemies, both near and abroad, but Hamas, in particular, had neither the capacity nor the desire to disturb the status quo.

Since that day of infamy, Israel has pursued a new strategy intended to destroy rather than merely deter Hamas and Hezbollah. In a burst of “Churchillian” genius following October 7, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu determined that his country could no longer temporize with evil by accepting the presence of a malignant adversary within easy reach of Israeli towns and cities. Unlike previous rounds of hostilities, this time, there would be no return to the status quo prior to October 7. The Israeli government rejected calls, including some from Washington, for de-escalation, limited military operations, and a premature ceasefire. The objective of military operations was no longer to achieve a meaningless ceasefire and re-establish deterrence. Hamas had to be destroyed. This meant engaging in protracted urban combat, perhaps the most difficult type of warfare.

To that end, the IDF undertook a campaign to defeat Hamas, eliminate its leadership, destroy its infrastructure, and isolate it from its suppliers and benefactors, most notably Iran. Israel deliberately targeted Hamas and Hezbollah’s command structure, killing multiple leaders of both organizations in a series of ultra-precise strikes in Gaza, Lebanon, and even Tehran. Hundreds of Hezbollah operatives were killed and wounded by an unprecedented attack employing booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies that also served to cripple the terrorist group’s communications. The IDF has applied lessons learned from the conflict in Gaza, along with technological innovations in command, control and intelligence so as to decimate its leadership, undermine its infrastructure and eliminate the offensive threat to northern Israel.

Then came the direct attack on Israel by Iran on April 13, 2024. Recognizing that it was facing a regional coalition of adversaries, the IDF also undertook a series of long-range operations to destroy key military target sets amongst the Houthis and in Iran. The attacks met three purposes. First, there were to be no more safe havens for terrorists and their state sponsors. Second, the targets chosen directly destroyed military capability. Third, the message sent was that Israel could strike its enemies where and when it chose.

At the same time, Israel demonstrated once again the crucial operational and strategic value of air and missile defenses. Because Israel was defended, the IDF could plan and carry out protracted offensive operations against adversaries armed with tens of thousands of rockets and missiles. The Iron Dome missile defense system, built with U.S. assistance, was able to counter the launch of thousands of short-range rockets. Israel has deployed a layered defense system, including the domestically designed David’s Sling and Arrow systems, as well as the U.S. Patriot. In addition, U.S. sea-based Aegis air defenses, likely employing the Standard Missile 3, contributed to the defeat of the Iranian missile attacks on Israel. Most recently, the U.S. has sent its newest missile defense system, the Theater High Altitude Air Defense, to Israel.

Overall, it has been the combination of Israeli intelligence and U.S.-built weapons systems that has enabled the IDF to conduct a new strategic campaign against its adversaries. Israel’s ability to prosecute offensive operations on multiple fronts and at extended range depends on the ability of the Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) U.S.-built F-35, F-15s and F-16 fighters. In September, IAF F-35s refueled by aging B-707 tankers conducted a long-range strike against the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeida. IAF F-15Is dropped some 80 U.S.-provided bunker-buster precision JDAM bombs on the underground headquarters of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah. Looking to a future in which long-range operations may be more common, the IAF has ordered additional F-15s and F-35s as well as new KC-46 aerial refueling tankers.

The IDF’s ground operations also rely, to a significant extent, on U.S. weapons and support. Operating in complex and urban terrain requires close air-ground cooperation, at which the IDF excels. One key capability is the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, which has been employed extensively in Gaza in support of ground forces. The IDF also operates several CH-53 heavy lift and UH-60 Black Hawk transport helicopters, the latter particularly important for medevac missions.

Israel’s ability and willingness to take on all the threats surrounding it, enabled by the world’s most sophisticated weapons, command and control, and intelligence capabilities, is redrawing the security map of the Middle East. Iran and its proxies have suffered incalculable setbacks. That’s a lesson the incoming Trump administration would do well to bear in mind. Bold strategic aims succeed when backed by superior technology.

This article appeared originally at Lexington Institute.