The Catastrophic Cost of an Israeli Victory Over Iran

Imagine not the cease-fire into which the Iranians succeeded in maneuvering Trump, but Netanyahu’s scenario of “total victory.”

A squadron of Israeli Air Force F-16 fighter jets flies over Deir ez-Zor, in eastern Syria, heading toward Iran, March 4, 2026. (Photo via the IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

By Hagai El-Ad

Hagai El-Ad is an Israeli human rights activist and the former executive director of the human rights organization B’Tselem. He lives in Jerusalem.