Israelis See Chance to Remake Middle East in War's Wake

Despite criticism over conduct of Gaza war, some see new diplomatic opportunities

- Dov Lieber

Since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has dealt a series of damaging setbacks to its most dangerous regional adversaries. It has hobbled Hamas in Gaza, severely damaged Shiite militia Hezbollah in Lebanon and fended off missile salvos from Tehran while landing its own blows in Iran.

Israel's military operations—especially its conduct of the war in Gaza, where local authorities say more than 40,000 Palestinians have died—have hurt the country's international standing. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for its prime minister and former defense minister.

But Israel's leaders say the military gains are worth the trade-off in reputational damage and argue that the country's stronger strategic position opens the door for diplomatic gains in the future as Arab countries look for partners to keep Iranian power at bay.

"For the first time in the history of Zionism, there is an opportunity for Israel to be a regional power," said Avner Golov, a former senior director at Israel's National Security Council, who is now a vice president at MIND Israel, which advises governments on national security.

It won't be an easy feat to pull off, especially as public opinion across the Arab world has soured on Israel because of the Gaza war. But with the world's eyes focused on the horrors emerging from the wreckage of the Assad regime and a Gaza cease-fire potentially on the horizon, Israel might be in a position to repair its international image and diplomatic standing.

Current and former Israeli officials are pushing for aggressive steps to build an Israeli, American and moderate Arab alliance that includes Saudi Arabia and is aimed at checking Iran's influence. The re-election of Donald Trump, who confronted Iran in his first term and is returning to the presidency next month, has raised hopes for such an alliance, said Golov.