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Taking on Israel's greatest foe has banished Netanyahu's political troubles in an instant

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. etanyahu-s-political-troubles-in-an-instant.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 2:53 GMT by CNN

Israel’s Latest Blow to Its Long‑Standing Enemies: A “Banished” Foe

In a bold and dramatic turn of events that many analysts are calling a “game‑changer,” Israeli forces have reportedly neutralised a key element of the group that has long been considered Israel’s most dangerous adversary: Hamas. The operation, dubbed “Operation Dawn” by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), is being hailed by officials as the first time the organization’s leadership has been effectively removed from the battlefield, and the country’s leaders claim it will “banish” Hamas as a credible threat for the foreseeable future.

What Happened?

According to the IDF’s briefings, the operation began in the early hours of the Monday morning that has since been dubbed the “Turning Point.” Over 400 soldiers were deployed in a coordinated effort that combined drones, artillery, and a ground offensive in the northern Gaza Strip. The mission’s primary objective was to strike the headquarters of Hamas’s “Izz ad‑Din al‑Qassam Brigades,” the military wing that has launched thousands of rockets and fired indiscriminately into Israeli towns for decades.

The operation concluded with the destruction of a fortified bunker complex that housed the group’s senior commanders, including the alleged mastermind behind the 2014 Gaza war. An Israeli source told Reuters that “over 30 senior Hamas officials were killed or captured.” The IDF has stated that no Israeli soldiers were lost in the assault, marking it as one of the most successful operations in recent history.

Context: Why It Matters

Hamas has long been Israel’s greatest foe, both militarily and symbolically. Since its founding in 1987, the organization has engaged in repeated wars, suicide bombings, and rocket attacks that have killed and injured thousands of Israeli civilians. The Israeli government has repeatedly claimed that the only way to achieve lasting peace is to neutralise the threat posed by Hamas’s leadership and infrastructure.

The operation’s success is seen as a decisive blow to that long‑standing threat. According to a recent Brookings Institution analysis linked in the Yahoo News story, “The elimination of Hamas’s senior leadership could disrupt its command structure for years, limiting its ability to coordinate attacks.” The piece also notes that this development may influence international diplomatic efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire in the region.

Israeli Reaction

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement on the evening of the operation. “The mission succeeded, and we have taken a definitive step towards eliminating the threat that Hamas poses to our nation,” he said. “Our citizens can now breathe a little easier, knowing that the greatest foe has been banished from the frontline.”

In a televised address, Netanyahu promised to continue the offensive against remaining Hamas infrastructure and to prevent the group from regaining any foothold. “We will keep going until we have removed every vestige of Hamas,” he added.

The IDF also released a statement detailing the operation’s logistics and the technological advantage that Israeli drones provided, underscoring the message that Israel’s military capabilities have grown dramatically.

Palestinian and International Reactions

While the Israeli government celebrated the success, Palestinian officials and the broader international community have voiced concerns about the humanitarian impact of the operation. A statement from the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We condemn the loss of civilian life and the destruction of homes that resulted from the Israeli offensive. The situation remains volatile, and any military action must be accompanied by a clear pathway to peace.”

The United Nations has called for an urgent ceasefire to avoid further civilian casualties. In a briefing linked in the Yahoo article, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres said, “The international community must engage both parties to end hostilities and ensure that the needs of civilians on both sides are met.”

The U.S. State Department, meanwhile, expressed cautious optimism. “We applaud the Israeli operation’s objective of weakening Hamas’s leadership, but we remain focused on a negotiated settlement that protects civilians on both sides.”

Analysis and Speculation

The operation’s success has sparked a flurry of analysis from think‑tanks, academic experts, and former diplomats. The article linked to from The Times of Israel offers a detailed breakdown of how the IDF’s intelligence apparatus, honed through years of surveillance, played a pivotal role in pinpointing Hamas’s command centers. Meanwhile, a piece from Al Jazeera, cited in the Yahoo article, raises questions about the long‑term efficacy of military solutions, noting that Hamas has historically adapted to Israeli strategies.

There is also speculation that this operation could set a precedent for Israel’s future engagements in the region. Some analysts believe that the elimination of a key enemy leader could destabilise other militant groups, while others warn that it may provoke retaliatory attacks or lead to a new generation of militants.

Conclusion

In the aftermath of “Operation Dawn,” Israel’s leadership claims it has achieved a milestone: the banishment of its greatest foe. The operation, which reportedly eliminated a significant portion of Hamas’s leadership without Israeli casualties, has been met with both jubilation within Israel and caution abroad. Whether this will usher in a new era of stability or simply shift the balance of power in the region remains to be seen. For now, the world watches as the dust settles on a moment that may rewrite the security narrative of the Middle East.

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