IDF Chief of Staff Orders Leave Embargo Ahead of Elections Amid Security Tensions
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered a leave embargo for soldiers starting Thursday and reinforced forces in the West Bank ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections. The measures are intended to enhance operational readiness amid security tensions, not due to a specific threat. The IDF is also preparing to facilitate voting for all soldiers, with over 800 polling stations operating for seven days starting October 20th.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered a leave embargo for soldiers starting Thursday.
- The IDF is reinforcing forces in the West Bank and increasing senior commander presence.
- The leave embargo is a precautionary measure for election week, not due to specific threat.
- Over 800 polling stations will operate for soldiers from October 20th to October 27th.
- Early voting will be available for career and reserve soldiers for the first time across sectors.
With the 26th Knesset elections approaching and amid ongoing security tensions, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered a series of measures to enhance operational readiness. These include a leave embargo for soldiers starting Thursday, reinforcement of forces in the West Bank, and increased presence of senior commanders in operational centers.
The directives were issued following a multi-arena situation assessment attended by the heads of Operations Directorate, Military Intelligence Directorate, and the commanders of the Northern, Central, Southern, and Home Front Commands. Zamir emphasized that the IDF's mission is to ensure democratic elections are held safely and on time, stating the army is on high alert and will maintain vigilance across all fronts.
The leave embargo is a precautionary measure to ensure maximum readiness of all units during election week, not in response to a specific, immediate threat. Senior commanders will increase their presence in field headquarters and units to guarantee full operational capability. Additionally, forces from the Paratroopers Brigade will be deployed to bolster the Central Command in the Samaria and Benjamin region.
Simultaneously, the IDF is preparing for a large-scale voting operation for all career and reserve soldiers. Early voting will commence on October 20th and continue for seven days, culminating on election day, October 27th. Over 800 polling stations, both fixed and mobile, will be established across all operational sectors. For the first time, soldiers will be able to vote while crossing between operational sectors. The operation is led by Elections Officer Vered Ben Yehuda, with hundreds of election officers and approximately 3,000 soldiers serving as poll workers. Mobile polling stations will be secured by armed personnel. The IDF stressed that the elections will be conducted while strictly maintaining the army's state character and its complete separation from political discourse, alongside continuous operational efforts.
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