Israel, that ivory tower of martial confidence, now finds itself precariously perched on a crumbling edifice. What seemingly began as a determined mission to neutralise Hamas has metastasised into an incipient regional conflagration. And on surveying the apparent wreckage of policy, doctrine, and international credibility, one cannot help but ask: has Israel indeed overreached?

Israel currently finds itself entrenched on at least four fronts: Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and now Iran. Its Iron Dome-led collage of defences is visibly straining under not just rockets but full-blown missile barrages.

Iran’s audacious spring strikes of over 200 drones and missiles represent a doctrinal shift in proxy warfare, forcing Israel to confront nation-state aggression directly.

As retired IDF Major-General Giora Eiland had warned months ago, engaging Hezbollah across multiple fronts was a mistake. He had said, Israel “would not be able to defeat Hezbollah”. That warning went unheeded, and, now, Israel’s embattled north faces daily bombardments, while its Gaza campaign drags on almost interminably.

Add to this, Israel’s bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities has escalated tensions to a dangerously elevated plateau.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s provocations in Iran, like raids on Natanz and drone murders of officials, have, in reality, shattered Israel’s self-imposed limits. Operation ‘Rising Lion’, which was heralded as a tactical success, has seen........

© Mathrubhumi English