Observing the Middle East conflict from Tokyo often feels like witnessing a distant storm that steadily intensifies. What began with the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack quickly expanded beyond a single battlefield, drawing in militias, governments, and entire societies across the region.

More than two and a half years after the war began on October 7, 2023, Israel continues to face militant groups that openly call for its destruction. These groups are armed, funded, and supported by a regional strategy directed from Tehran.

For Israelis, the war never paused. Rockets continue to fall. Drones still cross borders. Sirens still send families running into shelters. The conflict has simply shifted from one front to another, from Gaza to Lebanon, from the Red Sea to the skies where long-range missiles now travel. Organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis have all played roles in this expanding confrontation. Though they operate in different territories, their military coordination ultimately traces back to the same strategic center.

The war has now entered a new phase. On February 28, 2026, Ali Khamenei, the man who shaped Iran’s regional strategy for decades, was killed. Many observers believed his death might open a path toward de-escalation. Instead, the opposite appears to be happening.

Khamenei and several senior figures are gone, yet the regime remains intact, and the attacks continue. Rockets are still launched toward Israel, and drones........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)