As Israel enters the tenth month of conflict following the October 7 attack, the IDF's Medical Corps stands out as a rare bright spot in the country's security establishment, demonstrating both preparedness and operational excellence.
Brigadier-General Professor Elon Glassberg, the outgoing IDF Surgeon-General, attributes this success not to foreknowledge of Hamas's attack, but to years of meticulous preparation. "The capabilities and readiness we built up were there on October 7, when they were needed," Glassberg said in an interview marking the end of his four-year term.
The corps' effectiveness is measured by its Case Fatality Rate (CFR), which has dropped from 15% in the 2006 Lebanon War to 6.5% in the current Gaza conflict. This improvement stems from aggressive deployment of medical professionals, streamlined evacuation processes, and advanced field treatments.
However, as Glassberg departs for Washington to share insights with American counterparts, he acknowledges potential challenges ahead, particularly if conflict erupts in Lebanon. "Achieving the same level of CFR will be a challenge," he noted, citing Hezbollah's ability to contest air superiority in a larger operational area.
Meanwhile, Israel's political landscape reflects the strain of prolonged warfare. The Knesset has become a theater of competing interests, with various groups lobbying lawmakers on potential ceasefire agreements. Internal coalition disputes have led some to question the government's stability.
A recent clash between the Shas and Jewish Power parties over legislation highlighted these tensions. "I'm getting that vertigo feeling you get when governments are on their last legs," one Likud member of Knesset said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
As the Knesset's summer session nears its end, speculation grows about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition's ability to pass legislation and maintain cohesion. With the recess approaching, opposition members suggest the government may survive until October, but questions persist about its effectiveness during wartime.
"It just shows once again that Israel at wartime doesn't have a functioning government," remarked an opposition lawmaker, encapsulating the concerns of many as the country faces ongoing security challenges and political uncertainty.
* The Jewish Chronicle contributed to this article.