Faking out his adversaries and ordering a strike just before his UN speech, Netanyahu caught Hezbollah napping and set Israel on a path to victory on 7 fronts. Iran, it’s Lebanese deterrent demolished, should be quaking in its boots.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent decision to eliminate Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a high-stakes airstrike represents a pivotal moment for Israel—not just in terms of military victory, but also in the reassertion of Israeli deterrence and Netanyahu’s own political standing. This move, carried out while Netanyahu delivered his “curse or blessing” speech at the UN, showcased both his willingness to act decisively and his belief in Israel’s right to defend itself without hesitation. Despite his reputation for strong rhetoric but cautious action, Netanyahu proved in this historic, even Biblical, moment that he can deliver when it counts.

A Calculated Gamble: High Risk, High Reward

The strike on Nasrallah, which involved unleashing 80 tons of bombs on a bunker in Beirut, came just before Netanyahu addressed the UN. The Prime Minister gave his speech without knowing whether the mission had succeeded, a testament to his confidence in Israel’s intelligence and military capabilities. It was only after stepping off the podium that Netanyahu learned the operation had achieved its goal—killing Nasrallah and decapitating Hezbollah’s leadership.

Netanyahu’s decision to move quickly, against the advice of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and senior IDF generals who had recommended more time to prepare and consult with the Americans, marked a decisive shift in his approach to Israel’s ongoing conflicts. Historically criticized for being more of a “talker” than a man of action, Netanyahu buried that reputation with one of the boldest military strikes in recent Israeli history.

Reasserting Israeli Deterrence

The ramifications of Nasrallah’s elimination extend far beyond Hezbollah’s leadership. This strike sent a clear message to Israel’s enemies that no one is beyond Israel’s reach, and it reasserted Israel’s deterrence in the region. The fact that Nasrallah and his commanders felt secure enough to gather and watch Netanyahu’s speech shows they underestimated Israel’s intelligence capabilities. From now on, adversaries will think twice before picking up any electronic device, knowing that Israel is constantly monitoring their movements.

The psychological impact of this strike is immense. It has left Hezbollah, a key Iranian proxy, without its long-time leader and significantly weakened its military infrastructure. For years, Hezbollah’s missile stockpile, stored in civilian areas of southern Lebanon, has been a sword hanging over Israel. But with this operation, that deterrent has been shattered. Israel demonstrated its ability to neutralize threats at the highest levels, even within enemy territory, and it’s unlikely that any militant leader in the region feels entirely safe anymore.

A Divided Israel Comes Together

At home, the success of this operation has had a profound impact on Netanyahu’s internal political standing. In recent months, Israel has been deeply divided over Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul, with mass protests shaking the country and raising questions about the Prime Minister’s ability to lead in times of crisis. Yet the strike on Nasrallah has unified a fractured society. Despite internal divisions, Israel has shown that it can come together when facing existential threats.

Hamas and Hezbollah, and by extension Iran, likely hoped that Israel’s internal divisions would weaken its resolve in this war. Instead, the operation has rallied public opinion, with many Israelis—both supporters and critics of Netanyahu—acknowledging that the Prime Minister’s bold action has strengthened Israel’s position. Even Netanyahu’s most vocal opponents must concede that his leadership in this moment has delivered results.

Expanding the Conflict: Buffer Zones and Leadership Decapitation

The death of Nasrallah also opens the door for Israel to strike harder and more decisively on multiple fronts. With Hezbollah’s leadership in disarray and Hamas similarly reeling from Israeli strikes, Netanyahu’s government has the opportunity to deliver a final blow to both terror organizations.

In Gaza, the IDF is now positioned to drive Hamas out of the northern sector and create a demilitarized zone. By clearing this territory, Israel will neutralize the threat of rocket fire and tunnel infiltration, establishing a buffer zone that protects Israeli civilians in the south. In the north, Israel’s goal is to seize areas south of the Litani River, pushing Hezbollah’s rocket range far enough to protect Israeli cities like Haifa and Safed.

Securing these buffer zones will not only strengthen Israel’s security but also allow the return of over 60,000 Israelis displaced by rocket fire. With both Hamas and Hezbollah leadership on the ropes, Israel is more likely than ever to “put the pedal to the metal” and press forward with decisive military action. The elimination of Nasrallah has created a power vacuum within Hezbollah, and Israel must act quickly to capitalize on this moment before its enemies have time to regroup.

U.S. Elections: A Narrow Window

The timing of these operations is crucial. With the U.S. presidential elections just weeks away on November 5, Netanyahu knows that Israel must achieve its objectives quickly. While President Joe Biden’s statement following Nasrallah’s death was largely supportive, the administration continues to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. However, Netanyahu understands that once the political landscape in Washington shifts, there could be increased pressure for a ceasefire. This gives Israel a narrow window to complete its military objectives before a potential change in U.S. leadership alters the regional dynamic.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening:

"If someone rises up to kill you, kill him first.'

Yesterday, the State of Israel eliminated the arch-murderer Hassan Nasrallah."

Full remarks >>https://t.co/GKJCe9iwQ9 pic.twitter.com/WchZiQ96La

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 28, 2024

Netanyahu’s Legacy: From Talk to Action

For years, Netanyahu has been labeled as a leader who talks tough but hesitates when it comes to taking action. The events of the past few weeks have shattered that perception. The decision to strike Nasrallah, while he was still delivering a speech to the UN, shows that Netanyahu is capable of making bold, calculated moves under immense pressure. His critics, both in Israel and abroad, must now acknowledge that Netanyahu’s leadership in this moment has been nothing short of transformative.

In one stroke, Netanyahu has reasserted Israeli deterrence, unified a divided society, and positioned Israel to achieve long-term strategic objectives. With both Hamas and Hezbollah weakened, Israel’s path to securing buffer zones in Gaza and southern Lebanon has never been clearer. The coming weeks will be critical, and Netanyahu’s ability to capitalize on this momentum could reshape the future of the region.

Nasrallah’s death is more than just the elimination of a terrorist leader—it is a turning point for Israel’s security and Netanyahu’s legacy. The Prime Minister has shown that he is not only willing to act but that he can deliver the decisive victories that will define Israel’s future.