Ayalon warns: Israel wins the battles but loses the war
Quick Look
The former head of the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) and former commander of the Israeli Navy, Ayalon warns that Israel is achieving tactical victories against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, but is losing the comprehensive war due to the absence of a political goal, pointing out that a war without a political goal does not end with victory and that Israel is losing the battle of ideas and international legitimacy.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Ayalon's statements come at a time when field and political indicators point to the complexity of the Israeli scene, as internal criticism of the Israeli government is increasing due to the absence of a clear vision for the next day in Gaza and Lebanon.
Ayalon, the former head of the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) and former commander of the Israeli Navy, confirmed a harsh strategic assessment of Israel’s multi-front war, saying: “Israel wins the battles, but loses the war.”
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Ayalon explained during an interview on the "Going Underground" program on the "Rumble" website that the Israeli army achieved exceptional field achievements against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, but these tactical victories do not equal victory in the comprehensive war, indicating that "Hamas and Hezbollah have not been dismantled" and that they still pose a strategic threat despite the heavy losses they have suffered.
Ayalon, who is described as one of the most prominent former security officials who speaks frankly about the shortcomings, said that the main problem lies in the absence of a political goal for the war, which turns it into an end in itself instead of a means to achieve a better reality. He said: "A war without a political goal does not end in victory."
Ayalon spoke about deeper dimensions of this defeat, warning that Israel is losing the battle of ideas and international legitimacy, pointing out that the war is being fought today in two dimensions: the military field, and the arena of ideas and ideology, and that military force alone cannot defeat an idea or ideology, and therefore the continuation of the war without providing a political horizon for the Palestinians means that Israel is moving towards “the end of the Zionist project,” as he put it.
Ayalon's statements came at a time when field and political indicators indicate the complexity of the Israeli scene, as internal criticism of the Israeli government is increasing due to the absence of a clear vision for the next day in Gaza and Lebanon.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Internal criticism of the Israeli government will continue over the lack of a clear vision for the next day in Gaza and Lebanon
Likely · Within weeks
Israel will continue to face challenges in the battle of ideas and international legitimacy
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What is the political goal that Israel proposes for the war in Gaza and Lebanon?
- How will Israel deal with the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah in the long term without dismantling them?
- What are the possible consequences of Israel losing the battle of ideas and international legitimacy?
