Israel Caught Off Guard: Concerns of Spreading Conflict and Disrupted Alliances

This chapter analyzes the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel and questions how Israel, known for its intelligence capabilities, could have been caught off guard. It explores the potential escalation of the conflict beyond Hamas and the Gaza Strip, involving Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, Iran, and other nations in the region. Additionally, it examines the impact on the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel and potential consequences of a wider conflict.