Al-Aqsa Flood: The Collapse of Israel’s Myth of Invincibility
DID Press: The third anniversary of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation has arrived, marking an event that, on October 7, 2023, represented not only a major military operation but also a significant turning point in the modern history of Palestine and the wider West Asia region.
The operation challenged a regional order built over decades around Israel’s perceived military and security superiority. It also exposed major failures in Israel’s security and intelligence systems, including its surveillance capabilities and military readiness, challenging the image of an Israeli military widely regarded as exceptionally powerful and difficult to penetrate.
In the three years since the attack, Israel has conducted a devastating war in Gaza with extensive military capabilities and the support of key allies. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, infrastructure has been damaged and Palestinians have suffered a severe humanitarian toll. At the same time, Palestinian armed and political groups have remained a significant factor in the conflict and in the broader political dynamics surrounding Gaza and the Palestinian issue.
The strategic significance of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, according to the author, lies in the argument that resistance cannot be reduced to a single organization or group of individuals that can be eliminated through the killing of commanders or destruction of infrastructure. Rather, the article argues that it reflects a broader Palestinian political and social struggle shaped by decades of displacement, occupation, blockade and demands for self-determination.
The three years of war and confrontation have also demonstrated, in the author’s view, the limits of military force alone in resolving the underlying Palestinian conflict. The article argues that the killing of leaders, destruction of cities and infrastructure, and the application of extensive military pressure cannot by themselves eliminate demands for freedom, dignity and political rights.
From this perspective, the Al-Aqsa Flood operation is presented as the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Palestinian struggle, in which Israel’s military deterrence and security dominance have faced unprecedented challenges, while Palestinian resistance has remained an important factor in the conflict.
The author concludes that the most significant legacy of October 7 is what he describes as the enduring power of collective will and historical aspirations over military superiority. He argues that the operation will remain in Palestinian historical memory as a symbol of resistance and steadfastness, despite the heavy human and material costs of the conflict.
By Mohsen Movahed | DID News Agency