V24 presents an in-depth series covering the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This comprehensive series features on-the-ground interviews, bringing firsthand insights from a diverse range of voices, including politicians, professors, journalists, experts and influencers. Our guest today: Jonathan Conricus.
Conricus Speaks
In the months following the October 7 massacre, Jonathan Conricus emerged as a prominent voice explaining Israel’s perspective to the world. Former spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and now a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) in Washington D.C., Conricus combines battlefield experience with global advocacy to navigate the complexities of the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Born in Jerusalem and partly raised in Malmö, Sweden, Conricus returned to Israel at 13 and served 24 years in the IDF. Rising to lieutenant colonel, his roles ranged from combat commander in Lebanon and Gaza to military diplomat and foreign relations expert. Notably, he was the IDF’s international spokesperson and the first Israeli officer seconded to the United Nations as a strategic advisor to peacekeeping forces.
Tunnels and Threats
Despite its relatively small size of around 40,000 fighters, Hamas has sustained prolonged resistance in Gaza largely due to two critical factors: the dense urban terrain and an extensive underground tunnel network. “Over the last decade, Hamas has built a vast infrastructure beneath one of the world’s most densely populated areas,” Conricus explains. “This network has proven extremely difficult and time-consuming for Israel to detect and dismantle.”
Confronted with these challenges, the IDF has adopted a cautious military strategy focused on minimizing civilian casualties. By announcing operations in advance and allowing evacuations, Israel prioritizes humanitarian concerns, even as this slows progress and allows Hamas to strengthen defenses.
The conflict also unfolds on a broader geopolitical stage shaped by international actors. Egypt, officially neutral but opposed to Hamas’s parent organization, the Muslim Brotherhood, seeks to contain instability along its borders. By mediating hostage negotiations and ceasefire efforts, Egypt reasserts its regional influence.
Meanwhile, the United States remains Israel’s closest ally, providing essential military aid and diplomatic support. “Our relationship is a two-way street,” Conricus notes. “Israel relies on US backing, while America values Israel as a key partner in a turbulent region.” Rooted in shared Judeo-Christian values and mutual interests, this alliance supports efforts to expand regional stability through initiatives like the Abraham Accords.
While Hamas poses an immediate challenge, Conricus warns that the greater threat lies with Iran. The regime’s explicit goal to eliminate Israel by 2040 and its advancing nuclear program endanger not only Israel but also Europe and the broader free world. “Iran’s ambitions extend beyond Israel,” he cautions, “threatening security across the West.”
Recent Iranian-backed attacks using drones, rockets, and missiles underscore this danger. Conricus stresses that if diplomacy and deterrence fail, Israel may have to act independently to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Military strikes in October 2024 demonstrated Israel’s readiness to confront this threat directly.
To dismantle Iran’s nuclear ambitions, he argues, the regime itself must be weakened. Prioritizing terrorism and nuclear development over the welfare of its own people, Iran faces growing internal opposition. Conricus calls for robust Western support - through sanctions, military deterrence, and the promotion of uncensored information - to empower reform-minded Iranians despite harsh repression.
Glimmers of Hope
Amid ongoing conflict, Conricus sees potential for long-term peace. The Abraham Accords have already normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states and could expand to foster broader regional security and cooperation.
However, true peace remains elusive as long as extremist regimes like Iran hold power. “We defend ourselves in our ancestral homeland,” Conricus states, “but face an enemy that could soon threaten Europe and the West.”
The Gaza war is thus not just regional — it is a warning and call to action for the free world to recognize the wider stakes.
Adam Starzynski
Journalist | Foreign Policy Analyst
