IDF Unprepared for Sudden Internal Violence, Warns Reserve Colonel Eli Gino

At a recent Channel 14 Security Conference amid ongoing regional tensions, Reserve Colonel Eli Gino issued a stark warning about Israel's lack of readiness for a sudden outbreak of violent internal conflict. Drawing lessons from the October 7 attacks, Gino emphasized that such threats from within Israel's borders could erupt without any prior warning, catching the military off guard. He criticized the IDF for focusing predominantly on external fronts like Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran, while neglecting the growing internal risks.

Gino highlighted a dangerous strategic blindness within the Israeli military, noting that the relative calm among Arab Israelis since the war's start is temporary and contingent on Israel's response strength. He warned that any small trigger, such as tensions around the Temple Mount, could ignite widespread unrest similar to the 2021 "Guardian of the Walls" riots. The erosion of deterrence, he said, is a critical concern.

Another major issue Gino raised is the IDF's tactical unpreparedness for urban combat within Israeli cities like Lod, Ramla, or Jerusalem. Unlike fighting in Gaza or Lebanon, urban warfare inside Israel requires different skills and familiarity with local neighborhoods, which current forces lack. He fears Israel might lose its technological edge and be forced into close-quarters combat, which he described as "M-16 versus pistol" scenarios.

Gino called for an immediate conceptual shift, urging the military to designate internal threats as a primary scenario and to build specialized forces trained and equipped for such challenges. He stressed that the IDF is currently not prepared for this and must act swiftly to develop capabilities to face internal violence effectively.