Rivalry with the US sees Beijing seizing the Hamas war as an opportunity to expand its diplomatic influence and reshape global opinion in its favor.

“As Israel increasingly recognizes the strategic importance of its maritime domain, the navy’s role and influence have grown, albeit gradually.”

“The trap is that this very important first stage is only the first step to a much larger goal that is yet to be achieved,” said Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs President Dan Diker of the Trump ceasefire plan.

While Israel’s desalination network has largely ended the threat of water scarcity, the decision to refill the Kinneret is driven by deeper strategic, ecological and cultural considerations.

“Taking out their leaders is not enough to stop the Houthi threat,” said Maj. (res.) Alexander Grinberg. “The Houthis are not Hezbollah.”

Hamas controls who is recognized as a journalist in the Gaza Strip.

The Houthi node in the Iranian terror network has sprouted tentacles of its own, with fighters in Syria, Iraq, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti.

Months of attack and retreat in Gaza, of rockets, terror attacks, missiles and terrorist releases, have changed what is acceptable to the mainstream.

The conflict with Iran “is not just Israel’s war, but the entire Western world’s,” said former Israeli Ambassador to the US Danny Ayalon.

“Trump’s nominations have created a team of like-minded national security personnel who are well aligned with Israel on the Iran threat.”