Often referred to as “Israel’s 9/11,” the attacks triggered a massive military and political reckoning within the region. Hamas militants stormed Israeli border communities, carrying out widespread killings, kidnappings, and sexual assaults.

The Hostage Crisis Continues

Hostages taken to Gaza were subjected to months — and in some cases years — of mistreatment. Reports from freed captives detailed starvation, psychological torture, and physical abuse.

The slow pace of negotiations and continued rocket fire from Gaza have prolonged Israel’s campaign against Hamas, even as Washington’s early calls for restraint frustrated Israeli leaders. Hamas has used its remaining hostages as leverage, releasing them sporadically to gain concessions.

🕊️ Trump’s Peace Initiative Gains Momentum

Two years on, the Biden administration’s cautious diplomacy has given way to a more assertive approach under President Donald Trump, who returned to office pledging to secure a lasting peace.

🌍 Rising Anti-Semitism and Global Repercussions

The surge has been compounded by global protests accusing Israel of genocide, a claim Israeli and American officials reject as propaganda. Critics of Israel’s response to Hamas’s attacks include figures as diverse as Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s top diplomat, and Zohran Mamdani, a frontrunner in the New York City mayoral race.

Last month, eight Western nations recognized a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly, a move derided by Coates as “political theater” compared to Washington’s active diplomacy.

💪 Improved Israeli Security and Renewed U.S. Alliance

Despite ongoing instability, Israel’s strategic position has strengthened over the past year. These actions, paired with Washington’s renewed engagement, have altered the regional balance of power.