Netanyahu Warns of Election-Eve Attacks, Meets Opposition Leader

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel has intelligence indicating potential attacks by its enemies around the upcoming elections. Speaking during a visit to the Tel Nof Air Force base, Netanyahu stated, "We have signs that our enemies will try to attack us ahead of the elections." He issued a direct message to adversaries, asserting, "Don't mess with us, not now and not ever. Our long arm will reach you anywhere, anytime."

In response to Netanyahu's remarks, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid demanded an urgent security briefing. Lapid's office stated the request was to understand if the threats were real and how the Prime Minister would ensure the elections proceed without disruption. The party Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Gadi Eisenkot, also joined the call for a briefing, emphasizing that national security should not be entangled with the election campaign, even for appearances.

Following Lapid's demand, Netanyahu instructed his military secretary to update the opposition leader on recent developments. A meeting between Netanyahu and Lapid was subsequently scheduled for 11:30 PM for a security update. Earlier in the evening, Netanyahu was set to hold a separate security consultation with top defense officials at his office.

During his visit to Tel Nof, Netanyahu also commented on ongoing military operations across various fronts, stating, "We are constantly operating in all sectors." He addressed perceived pressures on Israel, noting significant achievements alongside immense pressure to withdraw and relinquish gains made by soldiers, vowing not to allow this.