Netanyahu, Katz Claim Hamas Planning Oct. 7 Anniversary Attacks Amid Election Concerns

Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz stated on Tuesday that Hamas is planning attacks against the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip on the anniversary of October 7. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed these concerns, suggesting Hamas might attempt to challenge Israel before the upcoming elections on October 27. Netanyahu asserted that Hamas would try to influence the elections with its remaining strength, but vowed to thwart such attempts and respond with immense force. His remarks come as political rivals warn he might engineer a significant security crisis to postpone the elections, given poll predictions of his potential loss.

Netanyahu claimed that Israel has eliminated 4,000 out of 6,000 Hamas operatives in the last three years, vowing to reach all remaining members and uproot Hamas's rule. He described Israel as the strongest nation in the Middle East, with enemies weaker than ever. He also highlighted a "huge boom" in construction and reconstruction in the Gaza envelope, with young couples starting new lives there, viewing it as a victory of spirit over evil and Israel over its enemies, noting a similar situation in the north. Netanyahu also issued a warning to enemies not to test Israel, referencing its actions on seven fronts during the war.

A statement from Katz's office revealed he had instructed the IDF to raise its alert level and prepare for potential scenarios in Gaza due to intelligence about Hamas's intention to attack Israeli forces. Katz warned that if Israeli forces are targeted, Hamas and Gaza's residents would pay a disproportionate price. He further escalated his rhetoric, stating that if Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank were to turn their weapons on Israel, a short, intense war would be declared against the PA, involving ground and air forces, assassinations, deportations, and the destruction of infrastructure, similar to models in Gaza and Lebanon.

However, an Israeli security official told Kan public radio that while the security apparatus is preparing for the October 7 anniversary, there is no elevated alert level in Gaza beyond the existing readiness for the holidays and elections. This official added that military intelligence has no specific information about Hamas planning incursions or soldier abductions. Nevertheless, the official acknowledged that Hamas might attempt an operation during this sensitive period, especially in light of ongoing Israeli assassinations in Gaza. Alerts are reportedly in place for other fronts, including Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Yemen, with Israel prepared to respond to any attack attempts across all fronts.

National Unity Party head Gadi Eisenkot criticized the defense minister's statement as an indictment of the current government, calling it a "government of failure" that has miserably failed to achieve its objectives. Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of wasting military achievements and failing to translate them into strategic change, stating that Hamas remains the ruling power in Gaza and a threat to Israelis and the IDF three years after October 7. He asserted that any other government would have resigned in shame.

Kan also reported that the government meeting was held in an underground location, with ministers informed shortly beforehand. During the meeting, a decision was made to extend the state of emergency for the home front until October 20, citing ongoing threats from Iran and Yemen and uncertainty regarding the fronts in Iran and Lebanon, which security agencies assess as posing a high probability of attacks on civilians. The report noted this justification is a standard inclusion in recent home front situation assessments approved by the government.