Shin Bet Chief Warns of a Possible October 7-Style Attack on Eilat

Sources in the security establishment say Shin Bet chief David Zini has been warning in closed-door discussions about a possible October 7-style attack on Eilat and has ordered intelligence units to treat the scenario as a top priority. The report, published Monday by Haaretz, says there is concern inside the service that Israel’s southern resort city could face a major security breach.

According to the sources, Zini sees Eilat’s geographic isolation as a vulnerability and has warned of a ground incursion into the city through land borders, especially from Jordan. He believes such an attack could be a coordinated raid involving several terrorist organizations, including the Houthis.

The report says Zini made a secret visit to Eilat several weeks ago with other senior Shin Bet officials, met local security officials, and presented his warning directly to them. He has also instructed the organization’s intelligence branches to prepare for such a threat.

At the same time, some in the security establishment question both the likelihood of the scenario and whether there is any concrete intelligence about a planned attack. Shin Bet responded that several months ago, as part of Zini’s transition into the post and his study of the threats, he held a tour in Eilat, partly with the army, to examine different preparedness options. The agency added, “There is no specific information or warning, only thorough operational planning and study of the threats in all the service’s areas of activity.”