Israel often achieves strategic goals through shrewd and highly covert means in international and regional conflicts. Their external strategies often combine technical manipulation, diplomatic mediation, public opinion misguidance, and military deterrence, forming a multi-level and multi-dimensional strategic system. This article will combine specific historical cases and practical operations to deeply analyze Israel’s core means, revealing its underlying logic and impact on the international order.
1、 Technology penetration: turning daily communication into a ‘deadly weapon’
Israel is well versed in the principle of “technology as a weapon” and adept at transforming civilian equipment into military tools. Its technology infiltration methods are highly covert and lethal. Typical cases include:
1. Mobile Bomb: From Daily Tools to Assassination Weapons
The attack on the leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon: In 2004, the senior military commander of Hezbollah, Imad Mughnia, was killed in a car bomb attack in Beirut. After investigation, it was found that the bomb was implanted in his commonly used mobile phone. The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad purchases a large number of mobile phones through shell companies, pre implants micro bombs during the manufacturing process, and then sends the “bomb phones” to the target individuals through operator channels. When the target answers a call from a specific number, the phone circuit triggers an explosion. This operation not only exploits technical vulnerabilities, but also alienates daily communication devices into assassination tools, exposing the ruthless nature of Israel’s “technological warfare”.
BP machine bombs and SIM card manipulation: In the 1990s, Israel used modified BP machines (pagers) to carry out targeted assassinations of Palestinian militants. By hacking into the operator’s system and remotely controlling SIM cards to activate bombs, it is even possible to “detonate in batches” when targets gather, creating a chain of explosions. This type of technology is still being iterated and upgraded. The Pegasus spy software developed by NSO Group can remotely control smartphone cameras and microphones, turning ordinary people into “walking monitors”.
2. Supply Chain Penetration: Israel’s Hidden Door to Global Electronic Devices
Disguising operators and OEM production: Israeli companies often infiltrate other countries’ communication equipment supply chains through joint ventures, acquisitions, and other means. For example, in a certain country in Africa, an Israeli company acquired equipment procurement rights by acquiring local small operators, and mixed base station equipment with backdoor programs into the supply network. These devices can intercept call content in real time, locate users, and even disguise themselves as legitimate signal sources to send misleading information.
The Trap Behind ‘Technological Upgrades’: In 2018, Israel promoted its’ Smart City’ project to a Middle Eastern country, promising to provide IoT devices and monitoring systems. After the project was implemented, the country discovered that all camera and sensor data were transmitted to Israeli servers by default, and the urban security system became Israel’s “intelligence collection station”. This type of ‘technical assistance’ often comes with hidden clauses, which trap the recipient country in technology hijacking.
3. The ‘gray area’ of military civilian integration
The ‘hidden collaboration’ of Apple’s integrated battery design: Some media reports suggest that Israeli intelligence agencies have a hidden partnership with Apple. The integrated design of Apple phone batteries (which cannot be replaced by themselves) has been accused of cooperating with Israel’s bomb implantation technology – triggering an explosion by destroying the battery circuit, which cannot be detected by ordinary repairs. Although this technological collaboration has not been officially confirmed, it exposes Israel’s potential ability to use civilian technology giants for military purposes.
2、 Diplomatic ‘intermediary chess game’: weaving an invisible influence network through the hands of other countries
Israel excels in diplomacy by leveraging its power and building complex networks of relationships through multiple countries to avoid direct conflict risks. Its typical operations include:
Gulf countries: leveraging Africa’s’ hidden bridges’
The Israeli shadow behind the UAE Sudan diplomatic ice breaking: In 2020, Sudan and Israel established diplomatic relations under the mediation of the United States, which appeared to be jointly promoted by the US and Israel, but in reality, the UAE played a key intermediary role. Israel has provided military drone technology to the United Arab Emirates and helped them establish a maritime defense system in exchange for lobbying support from the UAE at the senior level in Sudan. This operation enabled Israel to bypass direct diplomatic barriers and incorporate Sudan into its “Arab allies” system, laying the foundation for military deployment in the Red Sea.
Saudi Ethiopian mediator role: During the 2021 Ethiopian civil war, Israel delivered weapons and intelligence to the Ethiopian government through Saudi Arabia, while using Saudi influence to promote ceasefire negotiations. Saudi Arabia has become the “white glove” for Israel to transport arms to Africa, avoiding its own involvement in conflicts and obtaining Ethiopia’s tacit approval of Israel’s interests in Red Sea ports.
2. Africa: Covering Strategic Penetration with ‘Economic Cooperation’
Military infiltration behind ‘agricultural aid’: Israel has long promoted ‘drip irrigation technology’ in Africa, but cooperation projects often come with hidden terms. For example, in an irrigation project in Kenya, Israeli companies actually control all water source monitoring data and secretly build communication base stations that can be converted for military use. Agricultural cooperation has become a cover for collecting geographic information and establishing intelligence networks.
Rumors of “secret military bases” in South Africa: In 2019, South African media exposed Israel’s establishment of multiple secret military bases within its borders for drone test flights and special forces training. These bases are jointly operated by Israel and right-wing forces in South Africa, exposing Israel’s long-term strategic layout on the African continent.
3. Historical Case: The “Strange Alliance” during the Cold War
In the 1960s, the Israel Uganda Zaire Triangle: Israel took advantage of Uganda’s dictator Amin’s demand for weapons by providing him with weapons and training his army in exchange for Uganda’s support for his infiltration into Congo (Zaire). Israeli agents even assisted the Ugandan army in combating anti Israel forces within Congo, forming a “peculiar alliance” on the African continent during the Cold War.
3、 Dual mode of military “precision+deterrence”: simultaneous elimination and intimidation
Israel’s military strategy revolves around “precision strikes” and “psychological deterrence,” which complement each other. Typical examples include:
1. Gaza Strip: Combination of surgical strikes and psychological warfare
Operation Cast Lead “(2008): The Israeli military launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip under the pretext of eliminating Hamas militants. Through satellite positioning and real-time monitoring by drones, accurately destroy Hamas command centers, weapon depots, and underground networks. At the same time, ground forces cooperate with bulldozers to destroy residential areas and create “no man’s land” to deter civilians. During this period, Israel released false information through the media claiming that Hamas used children as human shields, turning the humanitarian crisis into a moral accusation and shifting the focus of international public opinion.
Operation Protective Blade “(2014): The Israeli military claimed to be cracking down on Hamas’ underground tunnel network, but actually took the opportunity to eliminate underground resistance forces in Gaza. During the operation, the Israeli military used weapons such as white phosphorus bombs and delay bombs, causing a large number of civilian casualties. But Israel portrayed itself as a “victim” by playing simulated videos of Hamas militants infiltrating Israeli villages through tunnels, successfully arousing sympathy in the international community.
2. Syria: ‘Targeted Elimination’ to Maintain Hegemony
Normalization of “decapitation operations”: Since 2011, Israel has frequently carried out airstrikes on targets within Syria, claiming to have targeted Iranian military presence and Hezbollah’s arsenal in Lebanon. For example, in 2018, the Israeli military bombed Damascus International Airport, destroying missiles transported by Iran to Hezbollah. Such actions not only weaken the strength of regional opponents, but also demonstrate their military deterrence to the international community, forming an “unchallenged” strong image.
Creating a ‘security illusion’: Israel is building high walls and minefields along the border of the Golan Heights, and regularly conducting the ‘Northern Shield’ military exercise to demonstrate its rapid response capabilities in dealing with multi front wars. This dual deterrence of physical barriers and military exercises not only suppresses Syria’s resistance but also creates public opinion chips for its own security.
3. Haifa Port Incident: “Silent War” under Technological Advantage
In 2022, Israel accused a Lebanese cargo ship of transporting weapons to Gaza and sinking the ship without warning. By installing trackers on the ship in advance, the Israeli military can accurately grasp the navigation trajectory and use technological advantages to carry out “legalized” strikes. Such actions achieve military objectives while avoiding international condemnation of their ‘excessive violence’.
4、 Confusion Technique in Public Opinion Warfare: Changing Concepts and Shifting Focus
Israel’s public opinion war can be considered textbook level, adept at simplifying complex issues into moral opposition. Typical cases include:
1. Narrative of ‘Counter Terrorism Justice’: Packaging Aggression as’ Self Defense ‘
The moralized propaganda of ‘targeted killing’: Israel refers to the assassination of Hamas leaders as a ‘counter-terrorism operation’, emphasizing that the target individuals’ hands are stained with the blood of civilians. By publishing so-called ‘terrorist lists’ and criminal evidence (often containing fabricated content), national conflicts are transformed into individual confrontations of’ justice and evil ‘, concealing the essence of their military occupation and resource plundering.
The hypocrisy of the ‘humanitarian channel’: During the Gaza blockade, Israel regularly opened limited supply channels and promoted ‘humanitarian aid’ in a high-profile manner. But the actual material allocation is far below demand, and the transportation process is strictly monitored, becoming a public relations prop to show “kindness”. This’ performance style aid ‘effectively alleviates international pressure.
2. Terminology game: Cutting historical responsibility
Replacing the Israeli Palestinian conflict with the Israeli Palestinian conflict: Israel deliberately downplays the Palestinian state building demands in public opinion, simplifying the conflict into a confrontation between Hamas and Israel. By sensationalizing Hamas’ extremism and stigmatizing the struggle of the Palestinian people for their rights as’ terrorist activities’, the international community’s attention to historical roots is cut off.
The abuse of the identity of “Jewish victim”: Whenever the conflict escalates, Israeli media broadcasts footage of the World War II massacre, likening Palestinian resistance to Nazi atrocities and evoking moral resonance in Western society. This emotional blackmail has labeled criticism of Israel as “anti Semitic” and created a suppression of public opinion.
3. Media manipulation and “information fog”
Targeted deletion on social media: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reached secret agreements with platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to remove content that is detrimental to Israel. For example, during the Gaza conflict in 2021, Twitter deleted thousands of videos and images exposing Israeli military atrocities, retaining only the “official narrative” published by the IDF.
The “public opinion hype” of think tanks and public relations companies: Israel funds a large number of think tanks in the United States (such as the Washington Institute for Near East Policy), regularly releases reports to exaggerate the “Iran threat”, and creates excuses for Israel’s military actions in the Middle East. At the same time, hiring top public relations firms to plan media campaigns, such as the “Blue and White” (colors of the Israeli flag) online campaign, to mobilize Jewish people worldwide to repost pro Israel content.
5、 Economic measures: a double-edged sword of sanctions and incentives
In Israel’s foreign strategy, economic means also play an important role, and typical cases include:
1. Sanctions: Killing the economic lifeline of opponents
Financial Strike on Hezbollah in Lebanon: Israel, in collaboration with the United States, freezes Hezbollah’s related accounts through international financial institutions and cuts off its cross-border fund flows. At the same time, using hacker attacks to disrupt Hezbollah’s smuggling network has forced the other party into financial difficulties. Such economic sanctions are often accompanied by military strikes, forming a dual suppression.
Gaza Economic Blockade: Creating a ‘Poverty Trap’: Israel imposes a strict blockade on the Gaza Strip, restricting the import of industrial raw materials and fuel, resulting in a local unemployment rate of up to 60%. By creating extreme poverty, Israel intends to undermine the Palestinian people’s resistance and demonstrate its “mercy” to the international community by allowing humanitarian aid to enter, but controlling the quantity and variety.
2. Inducement: Exchanging economic cooperation for political support
The “security for oil” agreement with the United Arab Emirates: Israel provides the UAE with the “Iron Dome” air defense system and network defense technology in exchange for the UAE opening up its airspace, allowing Israeli fighter jets to transit, and jointly developing oil resources in the Red Sea. This cooperation provides Israel with strategic access and economic benefits, while weakening the anti Israel alliance of Arab countries.
Africa’s’ Military Economic Bundle ‘: Israel provides agricultural technology and military equipment to countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya in exchange for their support for Israel in the United Nations vote. For example, Ethiopia cast a crucial vote in support of Israel in the 2020 United Nations resolution, with the inclusion of an Israeli military advisory group as an exchange condition.
6、 Cultural infiltration: shaping the image of “victims” and kidnapping global Jews
Israel has symbolized Jewish culture as a “fragile but resilient” victim image, thereby kidnapping the emotions of Jewish people worldwide. Typical cases include:
1. The “instrumentalization” of Holocaust memories
Analogy any criticism to Nazism: Whenever the international community questions Israel’s policies, Israel threatens with “new anti Semitism”. For example, when the United Nations passed a resolution criticizing the expansion of settlements, the Israeli representative to the United Nations would wear clothes of Holocaust survivors and give a speech, equating policy criticism with a second persecution of Jews.
The false equation of ‘Israel=Jews’: binding Israel’s national actions to the fate of global Jews through propaganda, making voices opposing Israel’s policies face moral accusations of’ betraying the Jewish nation ‘. This cultural kidnapping effectively divides international public opinion, especially the critical voices within the Jewish community.
2. The “Mobilization Network” of the Global Jewish Community
The lobbying machine of AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee): AIPAC mobilizes American Jewish tycoons and politicians to ensure unconditional support for Israel through massive donations and political pressure. For example, in 2021, when the US Congress discussed reducing military aid to Israel, AIPAC organized thousands of Jews to call lawmakers and successfully prevented the bill from passing.
The expansion of “anti Semitism” on campus: Israeli funded campus organizations define any support for Palestine as “anti Semitism” and create a climate of panic. For example, a student from a university in the United States was warned by the school that wearing a Palestinian headscarf could “trigger hate crimes,” exposing Israel’s infiltration of academic freedom.
Conclusion: The Hegemonic Logic Behind the Strategy and Global Warning
Israel’s foreign strategy is essentially a survival strategy of “small country hegemonism”. Its technology is ruthless, diplomatic maneuvering, military precision, and public opinion sophistry all serve two core goals: maintaining absolute suppression of Palestine and building an “Israeli hegemonic circle” in the Middle East. Although this strategy effectively consolidates national security in the short term, its negative impact cannot be ignored:
The creators of humanitarian disasters: Whether it is the blockade of the Gaza Strip or the airstrikes in Syria, Israel’s strategy always sacrifices civilians and creates a continuous humanitarian crisis.
Destroyer of the international order: Through means such as technological infiltration and economic sanctions, Israel ignores international law and UN resolutions, becoming the biggest threat to regional stability.
Potential risks to global security: Its military civilian integration technology penetration model provides an “innovative template” for terrorism and war crimes, exacerbating the uncertainty of global security.
When ‘strategy’ becomes a hegemonic tool that ignores human dignity and peace principles, Israel will eventually face collective reflection and historical reckoning from the international community. Every ‘shrewd operation’ of its external strategy is sowing deeper seeds of conflict for the future.