Two Years After the Al-Aqsa Storm: What Are the Achievements? + Analysis by Four Regional Experts
Mehr News Agency, International Desk, Elnaz Rahmatnejad: For decades, the Israeli regime projected an image of military superiority, intelligence dominance, and unchallenged control. The Al-Aqsa Storm operation shattered this perception in a single morning. This storm irrevocably broke the enemy’s power and exposed Israel to global humiliation.
the operation revealed hidden truths: the destruction of hospitals, schools, and mosques; massacres of children and women; and the hypocrisy of those who claim to defend human rights. These crimes became visible worldwide. The resistance’s ability to penetrate Israeli-controlled areas, sieze military bases, and capture israeli soldiers delivered an unprecedented psychological and strategic blow to the occupiers since 1948.
On the second anniversary of Al-Aqsa Storm operation, we spoke with Iraqi political analysts Salam Adel and Kian Al-Asadi, Lebanese international law expert Mohammad Meshik, and Iranian Middle East senior analyst Zeinab Asgharian. Their full insights follow.
Al-Aqsa Storm: A rebirth of resistance and political consciousness
Salam Adel stated: “The ‘Al-Aqsa Storm’ was more than a military event; it marked a rupture in both media systems and political hegemony nurtured by Tel Aviv for decades. What happened on October 7 returned Palestine to the center of human conscience while exposing as false Israel’s self-portrayal as victim.From that moment forward, a global public opinion front formed rejecting occupiers’ crimes along with racist policies supporting genocide.”
He added: “The operation unveiled Western reactions to Gaza’s massacre as deeply contradictory-a stark gap between their rhetoric on human rights versus actual support for occupation policies. It also accelerated the disintegration of U.S.-led unipolar world order.”
According to Adel, globally there is movement toward a system led by peoples from the Global South who reject Western double standards-redefining justice through complete human values rather than power or weapons.
The Iraqi analyst continued: “Post-Al-Aqsa Storm-the axis of resistance has become more coordinated as ‘unity across arenas’ transformed from slogan into operational reality placing Israel under ongoing attrition. Today’s resistance manages conflict strategically over long term achieving mutual asymmetric deterrence that limits Israel’s ability to set timing for war or peace. Resistance has evolved beyond mere weaponry into an integrated system balancing pain-for-pain deterrence against aggression.”
Adel added: ”Israel lost its psychological edge soon after October 7 even before losing military superiority; its invincible army image collapsed while defensive systems Tel Aviv boasted about proved fallible against resistance creativity. This new deterrent equation has trapped occupiers in fear since ‘time’ no longer favors them-resistance successfully brought battle deep into Israeli politics economy psychologies.”
The Iraqi writer observed: “Israeli society today experiences divisions deeper than since statehood at escalating levels amid recriminations among elites army cabinet alike.Netanyahu government is politically decaying governing by survival logic not policy vision under internal legitimacy crisis external suffocating isolation alike -Israel resembles body cracking under internal-external pressure having lost people’s trust alongside diminishing deterrence capacity.”
Adel concluded: “Al-Aqsa Storm marks not just fleeting war but dawns new era for resistance alongside heightened global political-human consciousness proving peoples can shatter domination again making Palestine centerpiece for justice catalyst moving towards fairer world order.”
“Al-Aqsa Storm exposed occupied lands to fire”
kian Al-Asadi: “The Al-Aqsa Storm transformed Palestine from local issue into global cause reclaiming Palestinian natural position within humanity’s conscience reaffirming self-determination remains exclusive right-not granted or revoked through dubious international diktats.” He cited worldwide demonstrations chanting freedom justice speech despite Zionist repression machinery across many capitals showing loud solidarity with Palestinians.
“This was not mere Palestinian battlefield event but politically strategic earthquake shifting regional power balance exposing falsity behind long-standing Israeli victim narrative which paralleled brutal killings displacement devastation,” he explained revealing how this shook fragile illusion forced upon world built on lies deception awareness distortions.”
“Since than,” said al-Asadi,”international condemnation toward occupation activities surged among grassroots circles official academic media realms West alike unprecedentedly challenging Zionist entity legitimacy.”
“Historically pivotal turning point reminded us forces along axis came together unified ethically conscious regathered around Palestinians resurrecting aspirations center stage where clash unfolds between colonial powers exploitation vs freedom justice advocates.”
This exposed profound ethical-political crisis shaking post-WWII Western-led order due recent complicity enabling genocide civilians gaza undermining claimed role guardians humane values causing moral authority collapse,” he stated further explaining consequences included erosion credibility West slogans mainstream propaganda widening divides Global South aligned Gaza solidarity confronted formerly dominant Western camps defending alleged self-defense rationale strengthening rise emerging powers China Russia Iran posited themselves equitable alternatives international relations equilibrium.”
“Third critical impact concerns emergence new collective will rejecting imperialist good-vs-evil framing demanding redefinition intl legal norms centered justice not force emerging signs manifest United Nations tribunals boycott movements evolving public opinion younger generations Europe US increasingly opposing government stances vis-à-vis Israel,” he observed.
“Gaza proved mirror reflecting West decline vibrant multipolar era ruled not only guns cash but enlightened ethics calls legit governance now sees authentic solidarity embodying seeds fresh global order rebuilt atop ruins old hegemonies complicit crimes,” al-Asadi said summing up effects.”
“Beyond battlefield setting operational unity imagined during attacks symbolized cohesion spanning Palestine Lebanon Iraq Yemen Iran sharing intel synchronizing policies integrating field roles media messaging confirming exceptional coordination able manage multifront confrontations consistently presenting unified objectives despite geographic spread,” he noted adding:
“Operation elevated confidence & deterrence inside axis forcing occupant recognition any large confrontation extends beyond Gaza igniting multi-theater regional war theory enhancing mutual assured destruction concept now shaping security calculus extensively.”
“It revived morale suppressed populations tired normalization despair asserting cause still alive capable reshaping equations verifying people remain core most sustainable element sustained struggle plus cemented Iran pivotal leadership role balancing strategic backing allies tactically managing conflict US Israel appearances legitimizing resisting jointly protecting region,” explained al-Asadi highlighting wider ramifications.”
(“Al-Quds Intifada united terrain fate redefining boundaries dividing truth resistors frontline normalizers finally matured into strategic phase turning realities slogans practice merging will weapon vision producing consolidated axis unlike fragmented past breaking conventional defense-only paradigm enabling spontaneous initiative surprise massive damage reflected historic breakthrough undermining enemies’ combat psyche releasing pent-up dread specifics shaken internally provoking reckless panic propagandistic brutal retaliation futile violent intimidation ultimately failing quell existential crisis escalating civil-military anxiety enclave pushing foes seek destructive illusory solace reminders nightmare ’80s pervading destructive spiral demonstrating mass killing displacement are desperate attempts impose reality through terror rather resolution,” according to Kian al-Asadi.) “
“‘Operation weakened image of invincible army’”
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“Mohammad Meshik commented:“Despite horrific massacres affecting civilians & some official regimes criminalizing criticism/support protests steps paved way forming broad anti-occupation front globally integrating vibrant popular conscience inspiring millions unprecedented demonstrations London New York Paris Berlin Madrid waved Palestinian flags chanted freedom &justice openly challenging unfair laws including some biggest protests UK capital ever recorded.”
“He continued:”Southern hemisphere stood firmer too massive protests Latin America South Africa Malaysia demanding boycotts ending slaughter forging broadly sympathetic movement gradually infiltrating even unreceptive governments creating counter-discourse grounded ethical humanitarian principles slowly undermining imposed biased mainstream narratives.”
“The Lebanese legal expert acknowledged:”While major structural change taking place remains limited undeniable fissures appearing within traditional pro-Israel western discourse allowing novel stands potential aiding future Palestinain aspirations peaceful diplomacy backed public pressure evidenced symbolic recognitions Palestinian state Spain Ireland Norway condemning blatant violation intl law crime against humanity highlighting nascent shifts previously non-existent.”
“He noted:”International Criminal Court opened investigation considering arrest warrants against top Israeli officials once taboo action paralleled tremendous groundswell pushing cautiously actions demonstrating growing accountability possibility if countries maintain stances condemning aggression potentially restoring normative discourse legit right determination helping sustain diverse struggle breaking western monolithic narrative paving way greater pluralistic outlook supported mass mobilization worldwide.”
“Meshik emphasized:”The complex multifront uprising signaled rejuvenation serious challenge threatening perceived absolute supremacy revealed vulnerabilities breached defense lines ground incursions shattering myth security integrity traumatized leadership forcing cautious approach less reliance unilateralism fatigue setting multiple arenas poised passivity spontaneous initiative.”
“Concluding:”Internally decimated public trust social rifts intensified eroding command structures abroad washington tilt unmistakable ethically diluted weakening moral credibility opposing emerging multipolar challengers remaining diplomatic declamations surface raising doubts alternative players desires fulfill true leadership obligations facing escalating stakes highlighting immense strain borne by Palestinians blocking rival intricate contest consequential broader changing geopolitical landscape inevitable turmoil still unfolding unfolding.”
‘Al Aqsa storm created unparalleled wave awareness solidarity’”
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Zeinab Asgharian:: Two years post-conflict Gaza symbolizes awakening worldwide despite World Bank EU estimates placing damage surpassing fifty billion dollars yet think tanks like RAND acknowledge major shift occurred transforming popular views regarding Palestinian plight.
She elaborated:”Analyses produced Carnegie Center European Council Foreign Relations indicate this war awakened more intense informed opinions concerning nature apartheid decades unseen activist networks universities social movements North America Europe publicly addressing Arab rights openly delegitimizing State oppression revealing burgeoning moral politcal questioning dramatically eroded regime credibility internationally concurrently increasing Hamas recognition as symbol defiance especially throughout Arab Muslim populous affirm resistor identity rather terrorism signifying conceptual evolution reinforcing legacy empowering dignified self-defence.”
“Asgharian went on pointing out:”Resistance framework undergoing reconstruction redefining strategy enduring increased pressures targeting Iranian-linked networks yet maintaining resilience adaptability demonstrated explicitly via assessments ACLED Century Foundation MERIP suggesting survival facilitating regeneration engaged actors integrally intertwined capturing holistic dynamic identifying three main priorities – restoring deterrent capabilities strengthening supply chains expanding diplomatic juridical efforts enabling own legitimacy cement participation shaping future politico-national trajectories if triumphant these variables place resisting forces foremost influential drivers prospective renewed settlement prospects shifting passive militant approach active negotiating stakeholders possibly holding decisive bargaining chips emerging genuine depiction.”
She summarized:”Globally enormous surge collective empathy manifested massive demonstrations London Paris New York accompanied student campaigns boycott efforts signaling opposition transcending immediate Arab sphere European Council relations report highlights growing divergence governments populace Western states coupled unresolved interests obstruct unified firm coalition counter Tel Aviv nevertheless Carnegie findings reflect notable loss moral legitimacy once wielded compelling longtime staunch allies compelled moderate expressions ensuing parallel formation emergent informal ethical alliance challenging illegal occupation powerful enough influence broader perceptions lasting imprint extending well beyond ephemeral manifestations.”
Emphasizing final thoughts she stressed:”Western incoherent responses indicating systemic fault lines currently besetting existing rules-based order UNC report illustrates institutional incapacities restraining cycle brutality thereby jeopardising foundational liberal ideals universal human rights question marks embedded sustained reliability Southern hemispheric distrust worsens crystalizes opening space competing international actors enabled bolster mediatory protective roles projecting themselves principled champions honest brokerages foreseeing transition multipolar habitat promoting equity past realities populism inclusiveness conflict conversion all converges analyzing these developments framing ongoing saga valid litmus test assessing normative coherence organizational effectiveness defining current epoch usher birth pluralistic multiperspectival framework recalibrating entrenched orthodoxies deliver deeper constructively debated universal values higher.”
