The Al-Aqsa Flood operation carried out by Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades on 7 October 2023 went down in history not merely as a local act of resistance, but as a strategic operation that shook the global balance of power. This operation reflected the same strategic mindset and determination that, following the attacks of 11 September 2001, drew the United States into the Afghan quagmire and exhausted the power of states possessing the world's deadliest weapons. Just as the Afghan mujahideen wore down superpowers by making use of mountains, tunnels, and popular support, Gaza's underground tunnel network and its steadfast resistance fighters have drawn the Zionist regime and the global powers behind it into the very same trap.

This war has stripped away the mask of Zionist ideology and exposed Israel to the world as a genocidal entity. The massacres carried out without distinction between women, children, and civilians have laid bare the hypocrisy of the West and the collapse of its discourse on "human rights." The victory achieved through the unbreakable determination of Yahya Sinwar and his comrades—whose struggle began with sticks and slingshots and who never surrendered—has once again proved that technological superiority is not always decisive.

7 October 2023 – The Initial Shock and the Rise of Resistance

Hamas' surprise attack shattered Israel's myth of invincibility within two hours. The infiltration of highly secure military facilities, the elimination of senior figures, and the capture of hostages destroyed the reputation of both Mossad and the Israeli military. Israel responded with a strategy aimed at reducing Gaza to rubble; however, this only strengthened the resistance and transformed it into a global symbol of defiance.

2024–2025: Brutality and the Global Response

Israel's bombardments, carried out with the support of the United States, led to the martyrdom of at least 110,000 Palestinians. Despite the rulings of international courts, the genocide continued. The unconditional support provided by the United States and Europe for Israel inflicted a profound moral and reputational blow upon the Western alliance.

2025–2026: Ceasefire and a New Balance of Power

As the conflict dragged on, Israel's military, economy, and society became increasingly exhausted. Eventually, ceasefire processes came into effect in October 2025, yet instead of bringing lasting peace, they gave rise to new tensions. The holding of the NATO Summit in Ankara demonstrated, in the clearest possible way, the shifting balance of global power. At the same time, the growing number of regional leaders visiting Ankara reinforced Türkiye's role as a mediator and a force for regional stability.

This chronology has exposed the helplessness of the Zionism-Israel-United States axis. Excessive violence, the depletion of material and moral resources, and the loss of international legitimacy paved the way for the victory of the resistance.

The Decline of the Great Powers

Throughout this process, the United States and Europe completely abandoned their moral values in their determination to protect Zionist ideology. While openly condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, they gave unconditional support to Israel's genocide, reducing their rhetoric of "democracy" and "human rights" to little more than a mockery. The bloody face of what is called "European civilization" became visible to the entire world, as political positions appeared to be determined by the eye color and hair color of children in Ukraine and Gaza.

Washington's pressure on the Gulf states and its attempts to force Arab governments........

© Stratejik Düşünce Enstitüsü