This Week, Israel’s IDF Proved That They Are Invincible

This Week, Israel’s IDF Proved That They Are Invincible

This last week has potentially been one of the most notable since the beginning of the war with Hamas. On Saturday, July 27th  Hezbollah attacked Israel, killing twelve young children. Following this horrific attack, Israel showcased their capabilities by eliminating not one, but potentially three high ranking officials in Beirut and Tehran. Who were these men and why is it such an incredible feat that Israel was able to take them out?

Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ Political Bureau Chief 

Ismail Haniyeh was one of the highest ranking individuals in Hamas and played a key role in orchestrating the October 7th massacre. Considered the President of the Political Bureau in Hamas, Haniyeh was a senior member of the organization and the primary person to conduct relations with Iran and the rest of the world. Because of the role Haniyeh filled, his recent assassination has left many concerned that ceasefire negotiations will come to a halt since he was the main individual dictating demands to Qatar and Egypt. Based on these factors, the strike that eliminated him in Iran this week can be considered a major win for Israel though, per usual, many nations have condemned Israel for the act. The Russian Foreign Ministry labeled this assassination an “utterly unacceptable political murder.” The president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, was also critical of Haniyeh’s death and made this comment:

“That was violence, a murder that is intolerable, and took place in the sovereign area of Iran. I suppose all, including Indonesia, strongly condemn violence and murder like that.”

Assassinating the head of a terrorist organization who is responsible for thousands of deaths is, not only tolerable, but something to be praised. Iran, understandably, is quite upset about Haniyeh’s assassination taking place on their soil and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei made this fact well known when he made this statement directed towards Israel Wednesday morning:

“The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our beloved guest inside our house and made us mournful, but it paved the way for a harsh punishment to be imposed on it.” 

It is apparent that nearly everyone casts the blame on Israel for this elimination, but there’s one crucial piece of information that must not be lost in these chaotic accusations; Israel has not taken responsibility. This could be for a multitude of reasons, but most likely it makes it  significantly more difficult for Iran and its allies to impose a full-fledged attack against Israel in reciprocation for Haniyeh’s death.

Hamas is not the only Iranian proxy facing hardship this week: one of the top military commanders in Hezbollah was taken out by an Israeli strike in Beirut on Tuesday. Who was this man and why is this strike a major win for Israel AND the U.S.?

Fuad Shukr, Senior Commander of Hezbollah

Fuad Shukr is a name most people are unfamiliar with, but this man was a significant enemy to both Israel and the United States. Shukr was the senior commander of Hezbollah’s military unit, the right hand to Hassan Nasrallah (Hezbollah’s leader), and the man responsible for the deaths of 12 children and teenagers in Majdal Shams last Saturday. Not only this, but Shukr also played a central role in the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983. This bombing took the lives of 241 American soldiers. As a result, the United States placed a $5 million bounty on his head. 

Within a few days of the Majdal Shams massacre, Israel was able to impose justice on a man who had been hiding from the United States for over 40 years. Israel has stated that, within Hezbollah, Shukr was responsible for overseeing precision-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and drones. Needless to say, he was a dangerous and important target for Israel to eliminate.

The precision in which Israel carried out this airstrike is truly extraordinary. According to this excerpt from CNN:

“A CNN journalist on scene reported there was almost no apparent damage to the surrounding buildings. The windows appear to be largely intact. The shops in the areas also appear untouched by the strike.”

The world has labeled the Shukr and Haniyeh assassinations a “dangerous escalation” of the already tense situation in the Middle East. Is the assassination of a man with a U.S. bounty on his head and a man with the U.S. given label “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” truly an “escalation” or is it inflicting justice on evil men who are responsible for countless deaths?

Milad Bedi, Member of the IRGC

In addition to taking out Shukr in Israel’s strike in Beirut, Israel was also able to eliminate Milad Bedi. Bedi is a relatively small target in comparison to Haniyeh and Shukr, but was a member of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and was responsible for Iran’s military advice in Lebanon and Syria. Despite this man being a smaller objective than the other two men, the elimination of this IRGC member is still a great accomplishment for the Israeli military.

What is Israel Saying in Response to These Attacks? 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu phrased it best when he said that Israel landed “crushing blows” on the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel has inflicted justice and has carried out extremely impressive military feats against its enemies that should leave them quaking in fright. Not only is the strike in Beirut an incredible win against Hezbollah, but if the world’s assumptions are correct and Israel is responsible for eliminating Ismail Haniyeh, the act of evading Russian and Iranian intelligence and carrying out a successful assassination against the Hamas head in Iran’s capital city during the inauguration of their new president is an extraordinary statement of Israel’s advanced military capabilities. Effectively, Israel is making a statement that they are strong, they will not stand for terror against their citizens, and if necessary, they are well capable of facing a larger warfront.

The statement being made today is that same statement that was made during the times of Joshua and Caleb: Israel does not fear the hostile giants that surround them, but will overcome the enemy through the strength granted to them by the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. As the world continues to criticize Israel’s every action and defense, it is essential to recognize the incredible victories that have taken place this last week.