Analysts: Israelis Feel Less Safe Than Before October 7 Despite Military Gains Against Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran

An Al Jazeera analysis published Monday, September 21, 2026, ahead of the third October 7 anniversary and the October 27 election, canvassed Israeli and UK-based analysts on whether Israelis feel safer than on October 6, 2023. King's College London security analyst Ahron Bregman said an 'objective military assessment would indicate that, overall, Israel is safer' given that Hamas's capabilities have been reduced, Hezbollah weakened, the Assad government ousted in Syria, and Iran's military depleted — but warned he 'can see a third Palestinian Intifada on the horizon' that 'will be difficult to stop' once it starts. City St George's University political scientist Ayala Panievsky said Israelis nonetheless 'do not feel safe from future attacks by Hamas or Hezbollah, or a nuclear threat from Iran,' pointing to shattered public trust in Israel's security institutions after the October 7 failure. The piece noted the war has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians in Gaza by its count, and that security dominates the upcoming election's debate.