IDF on High Alert Ahead of Elections, Netanyahu Issues Warning

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are operating under a heightened state of alert ahead of elections scheduled for Tuesday, October 27. Since October 22, all leaves and furloughs for soldiers have been canceled across all army units and divisions as part of this special readiness protocol, according to the IDF's press service. This decision was made following an operational situation assessment conducted by IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. The assessment included discussions with the head of the Operations Directorate, the head of Military Intelligence, commanders of the Northern, Central, and Southern Commands, and the head of the Home Front Command. Zamir emphasized the army's mission to ensure the democratic elections proceed on time and in safe conditions, stating the IDF maintains maximum combat readiness and vigilance across all sectors. In addition to the leave ban, Zamir ordered an increase in the presence of senior commanders at command posts, headquarters, and units to ensure operational readiness. Due to rising tensions and nationalist-motivated crime in Judea and Samaria, the Chief of Staff has decided to reinforce the Central Command with a paratrooper brigade and additional forces. The army reported that the headquarters will oversee forces in Samaria and the Binyamin region, with reinforcements also being deployed to other sectors, including air, sea, and land.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video from an IDF Air Force base, his second such video in a month. He stated, "We have increased readiness, and we have the determination and ability to strike our enemies whenever necessary. Our enemies will receive heavier blows than they have received until now. I tell our enemies: do not test us, you will receive heavier blows than you have received until now." Netanyahu also highlighted the successes achieved thanks to the "brave pilots and ground crews, the IDF, and the government of Israel," asserting their determination to defend the country. This follows a similar video released by Netanyahu approximately two weeks prior. At that time, Chairman of the Central Election Commission Judge Noam Solberg ordered the removal of the clip from Netanyahu's personal accounts, though not from the official accounts of the Prime Minister's Office or the Prime Minister himself. The reason cited was that the video contained elements of election campaigning alongside security messaging. Netanyahu had previously stated, "There is immense pressure to retreat from military achievements. I will not allow this to happen." The Central Election Commission had previously criticized Netanyahu for using IDF bases and public resources for campaigning purposes, noting that in the earlier video, Netanyahu spoke in the first-person plural.