Right full of holes: The security equation changed at a bloody price

The article examines the gap between the security promises of the right-wing camp in the 2022 elections and the reality after October 7. It describes how Netanyahu, Ben Gvir, and Smotrich promised deterrence and a tough policy, but in practice adopted containment towards Hezbollah and Hamas, until the massacre in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were kidnapped. Afterwards, Israel moved to a multi-front offensive, but the enemies were weakened but not defeated.

The article, part of the series 'You Promised, You Delivered', examines the security promises of the right-wing camp in the 2022 elections against the reality after October 7, 2023. It describes how Netanyahu, Ben Gvir, and Smotrich promised to restore deterrence, fight terrorism, and change the rules of engagement, but in practice adopted a policy of containment towards Hezbollah and Hamas. Examples include avoiding a response to the Megiddo attack, not evacuating the Hezbollah tent on Mount Dov, and transferring funds to Hamas via Qatar before the attack. On October 7, the concept collapsed, with about 1,200 murdered and 251 kidnapped. Afterwards, Israel moved to a multi-front offensive, succeeding in weakening Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran, but not defeating them. The article also notes unfulfilled promises, such as raising conscript soldiers' pay to minimum wage, and raises questions about the cost of the war and the hostages.