Mrs. Alona Izkovich

Ariel University

Bio

Alona Itskovich is a Ph.D. candidate in Middle Eastern Studies and Political Science at Ariel University, specializing in Arab society in Israel and Israeli-Palestinian relations. Her paper examines the meaning of victory in the Israel-Hamas war following October 7, analyzing the gap between military achievements, political objectives, and perceptions of victory. It assesses the conflict across tactical, operational, strategic, and systemic levels, while also considering the cognitive dimension of victory.

Victory Without a Finish Line - Israel and Hamas after the October 7th War

Abstract

This paper examines the meaning of victory in the Israel-Hamas war following October 7, focusing on the gap between military achievements, political objectives, and perceptions of victory. It assesses both sides across tactical, operational, strategic, and systemic levels, alongside the cognitive dimension of victory. The analysis demonstrates that military superiority does not necessarily translate into strategic victory and highlights the complex relationship between battlefield outcomes, political objectives, and competing narratives of success.