Israel’s Escalation on Seven Fronts: An Analysis of Its Might, Violence, and the Source of Its “International Bullying”

Department of Research, Studies and International News -26-07-2025

Dr. Mohamed Elkeshky is the Director of BUC’s Centre for Global Affairs and a

professor at BUC’s Political Science Department

The region has witnessed an unprecedented escalation in tensions over recent months, culminating in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that Israel is fighting a war on seven fronts simultaneously. This statement raises serious questions about the traditional Israeli security doctrine, which was based on the principle of not fighting on more than two fronts. It compels us to question the source of this Israeli might and violence, and from where Israel derives this “international bullying,” particularly in light of the atrocities it is committing, especially in the Gaza Strip.

A Shift in Israeli Security Doctrine: From Two Fronts to Multiple (Seven) Fronts

Israeli security doctrine has long been based on a fundamental principle: avoiding multi-front conflicts simultaneously. This was to ensure the preservation of its military superiority and its ability to manage its resources, as its economy could not sustain prolonged, widespread conflict. However, Netanyahu’s recent statement reveals a radical shift in this doctrine. What has driven Israel to become entangled in such a large number of fronts, and what is the nature of these conflicts?

The Blazing Fronts:

Hamas in Gaza: A War of Annihilation and Forced Displacement

The Palestinian front in the Gaza Strip is considered the most brutal and alarming. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has launched a wide-scale war on the Strip, resulting in horrific massacres against children and civilians, widespread destruction of infrastructure, and the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

Humanitarian Losses:

• Reports indicate that the death toll has exceeded 58,000 people, with other estimates reaching 72,000 fatalities. These numbers could be significantly higher when accounting for indirect deaths or individuals missing under the rubble.
• Among the registered deceased, approximately 18,000 are children and over 12,400 are women.
• These figures are conservative estimates, as thousands are missing and presumed dead (over 14,000).
• The number of injured has exceeded 139,000 people.
• Over 9,312 individuals have been detained, including 360 medical personnel.
• Approximately 90% of Gaza’s population (over 2 million Palestinians) have been internally displaced.

Infrastructure Losses:

• 92% of residential units (436,000 units) have been destroyed or damaged.
• 80% of commercial facilities have been damaged or destroyed.
• 88% of schools have been damaged or destroyed, leading to the complete collapse of the education system.
• Over 50% of hospitals are only partially operational.
• Approximately 65% of the total road network in the Strip has been damaged.

This excessive violence is manifested in the use of the latest and most horrific destructive weapons against a people who possess nothing but their will and steadfastness in the face of the Israeli war machine. These actions, described by international human rights organizations as amounting to war crimes, have drawn widespread condemnation from the international community, yet they continue without effective deterrence.

Hezbollah in Lebanon: Escalation on the Northern Border

Israel’s northern border with Lebanon is witnessing continuous escalation with Hezbollah. Intermittent clashes involving the exchange of rockets, shells, and airstrikes have led to the displacement of populations from both sides. This front poses a strategic threat to Israel, as Hezbollah possesses a large missile arsenal and advanced military capabilities, making any large-scale escalation carry grave risks to regional security.

Lebanese Casualties:

• Humanitarian Losses: Sources indicate that the death toll in Lebanon has reached between 4,000 and approximately 6,000 fatalities, including fighters from Hezbollah and other factions, as well as a large number of civilians, among them children, paramedics, medical staff, and journalists. Some reports indicate the killing of approximately 532 Hezbollah members and over 294 civilians. The number of injured has exceeded 16,600 people. Over 875,000 people have been internally displaced from Lebanese border areas.
• Material and Infrastructure Losses: The total losses for Lebanon due to the Israeli aggression are estimated at around $8.5 billion. Over 100,000 residential units have been destroyed, vast areas of agricultural land (approximately 3.2 million square meters affected by fires) have been damaged, and losses in crops and livestock amount to $1.2 billion. Disruptions in the trade sector reached about $2 billion, and tourism sector losses are estimated between $4 billion and $5 billion. Approximately 220 commercial and industrial establishments have been destroyed, and about 166,000 individuals have lost their jobs.

West Bank: Ongoing Tensions and Clashes

The West Bank remains a hotbed of tensions and clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian factions. Israeli incursions into Palestinian cities and towns, widespread arrests, and the expansion of settlements all contribute to increased tension and fuel Palestinian resistance.

Total Losses in the West Bank:

• Over 950 fatalities, including at least 181 children.
• Over 217 journalists and media personnel killed.
• At least 503 health sector faculty members, and a large number of medical teams.
• At least 483 aid workers killed, including 326 UNRWA employees.

Houthis in Yemen: A Threat in the Red Sea

Israel has faced missile and drone attacks from the Houthis in Yemen, in support of Gaza and in rejection of Israeli aggression. These attacks, although most have been intercepted, indicate an expansion of the conflict’s scope to more distant areas, casting a shadow over freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, threatening global economic and commercial interests.

Losses in Yemen:

• Reports indicate that a number of civilians have been killed and injured as a result of airstrikes launched by the United States and the United Kingdom on Yemen, with some sources reporting at least 266 civilian deaths and 774 injuries.
• Some estimates suggest that over 122 Houthi fighters have been killed, while 314 others have been injured.
• Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have resulted in the deaths of at least 8 sailors and injuries to 10 others, and the sinking of several commercial vessels.
• Economic and Infrastructure Losses: The Houthi group announced that losses to Hodeidah ports (a vital lifeline for 80% of Yemenis’ needs) due to American and Israeli raids reached approximately $1.4 billion by May 2025. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the military responses to them have led to significant disruption in global trade, with over 2,000 ships rerouting, and global trade experiencing a 1.3% decline between November and December 2023.

Syria: Targeting Iranian and Pro-Iranian Sites

Israel continues to target sites within Syria, claiming they belong to Iran or its allied militias. These airstrikes aim to undermine Iranian influence and prevent the smuggling of advanced weapons. Although these operations occur periodically, they increase the likelihood of a wider confrontation with Iran and its proxies.

Total Losses in Syria:

• 567 fatalities, including 68 civilians, among them two children and eight women, in addition to approximately 45 injured.
• Approximately 48 targets have been destroyed, including weapons depots, centers, and vehicles.
• Aleppo International Airport has been bombed 4 times and rendered inoperable, and Damascus International Airport has been bombed twice and rendered inoperable.

Shiite Militias in Iraq: Intermittent Attacks

US bases in Iraq have witnessed intermittent attacks by Iran-backed militias, some of which targeted Israeli interests. These attacks reflect Iran’s strategy to bolster its influence in the region through its proxies and pose a security concern for Israel.

Iran Directly: Direct Confrontation

The direct confrontation between Israel and Iran recently manifested in an exchange of missile strikes. These developments break the barrier of proxy confrontation and draw both parties into direct conflict. Israel’s attempts to drag the United States into this confrontation failed, leading to what can be described as an “absurd charade” in which lives were lost without achieving clear strategic objectives for either side, but it revealed an unprecedented willingness to take risks.

Losses:

• Israeli Losses: Israel has suffered human losses ranging from 3 to 28 fatalities (mostly civilians) and over 1,300 injured. Economically, direct losses amounted to approximately $3 billion, due to the cost of military and defensive operations ($725 million per day), significant damage to homes and vehicles, the shutdown of the Bazan refinery in Haifa, and losses for El Al airline. Over 10,000 people have also been displaced, and the budget deficit is expected to increase by 6%.
• Iranian Losses: Reports indicate between 78 and 610 fatalities in Iran, including prominent leaders and nuclear scientists, and approximately 5,000 injured. Militarily, Iran suffered heavy losses to its military infrastructure, with over 200 ballistic missile launch platforms and approximately 120 air defense platforms destroyed. Nuclear facilities in Natanz and Fordow were also damaged, Tabriz military airport was destroyed, and key military headquarters were targeted, leading to the destruction of approximately two-thirds of its ballistic missile launchers.

From Where Does Israel Derive This “International Bullying”?

The “international bullying” practiced by Israel, characterized by its violation of international laws, its continuous human rights abuses, and its disregard for UN resolutions, derives its strength from several key sources:

1. Unlimited American Support: US political, military, and economic support is the cornerstone upon which Israel relies. This support provides Israel with diplomatic cover in international forums and ensures a continuous supply of advanced weaponry, giving it a sense of impunity. The United States uses its veto power in the Security Council against any resolution condemning Israel, preventing any real international pressure from being imposed on it.
2. Pressure on the International Community: Israel and its allies exert significant pressure on countries that criticize its policies, often accusing them of antisemitism. This creates an environment of hesitation and fear among some nations, deterring them from taking explicit stances against it.
3. Superior Military Capabilities: Israel possesses a sophisticated and modern army, equipped with the latest American and Western military technologies. This military superiority grants it the ability to carry out large-scale military operations without fear of a strong reaction from its adversaries, as it is a nuclear state that threatens all its neighbors.
4. Effective Use of Propaganda and Media: Israel employs strong propaganda strategies to justify its actions and distort the image of its adversaries, which influences global public opinion and complicates the task of conveying the Palestinian narrative and the suffering experienced by the Palestinian people.
5. Disunity of the Arab and Islamic Ranks: The weak coordination and joint action among Arab and Islamic countries, and the preoccupation of some with internal issues, reduces their effectiveness as a pressure force on Israel and its supporters.

A Call for International Accountability

Israel’s involvement in a war on seven fronts, accompanied by unprecedented violence and brutality, reflects a dangerous shift in its strategy and approach. This escalation, driven in part by unlimited international support, threatens to destabilize the entire region. The absence of effective international accountability fuels this behavior. The absence of effective international assistance fuels this behavior, perpetuating the cycle of violence and suffering. The path to true stability lies through ending the occupation, establishing an independent Palestinian state, holding all parties accountable for their violations of international law, and working seriously toward a just and comprehensive political solution that guarantees security and justice for all. Will the international community wake up to the gravity of the situation before it’s too late?