Shin Bet chief David Zini reportedly said in closed-door discussions that “the next October 7 may be in Eilat,” according to a report by journalist Josh Breiner in Haaretz. Security sources said Zini instructed officials to place Eilat at the top of the list for a possible attack scenario.
The Shin Bet later issued a statement saying there is no specific threat to Eilat, and that the comments reflected broad operational planning and lessons drawn from threats across all sectors. The agency stressed that there is no concrete or immediate intelligence about a new danger to the city.
Eilat Mayor Meir Yitzhak Halevi and the Eilot Regional Council sought to calm residents, saying there was no actionable warning from security forces. Halevi said that since October 7 important lessons had been learned and security on the front had been reinforced, including along the eastern border. He said the city and its protecting forces are prepared for any scenario.
Hanan Ginat, head of the Eilot Regional Council, took a more alarmed tone, saying the eastern border is the most sensitive area. He warned that the frontier is already used for arms and drug smuggling and urged more resources for local defense units, warning the criminal smuggling route could become a pathway for terrorist cells. Halevi said Eilat, as Israel’s southern gateway, has clear strategic importance and needs continued investment in medical services, security and emergency infrastructure, especially ahead of the summer vacation season.
