Full coverage· Security· Updated 19 Oct, 20:50

IDF Suspends Soldier Leave Amid Election Security Concerns

The IDF has frozen soldiers’ leave starting Thursday and raised its alert level ahead of the October 27 election. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered the measures after a multi-arena assessment to keep the vote safe and on schedule.

13 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 19 Oct, 13:02

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IDF Suspends Soldier Leave Amid Election Security Concerns — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered an IDF leave freeze for all units starting Thursday ahead of the October 27 election.
02The military raised its alert level after a multi-arena assessment aimed at keeping the democratic vote safe and on schedule.
03Senior commanders will be more present in command centers, headquarters and units to maintain operational readiness.
04The Central Command will be reinforced with Paratroopers Brigade headquarters and additional forces in the Samaria and Binyamin area.
05The IDF will allocate further forces to air, sea and land sectors as needed under ongoing situation assessments.
06According to The Times of Israel, the Central Command buildup comes amid rising violence in Judea and Samaria, and Israel Katz is shifting that responsibility to the police.
07Haaretz English said the leave suspension reflects concern that election day timing could encourage attacks, without a specific threat warning or enemy preparations.

The military will increase the presence of senior commanders in command centers, headquarters and units, and will reinforce the Central Command with additional forces. The Paratroopers Brigade headquarters and other units will be deployed between Samaria and Binyamin to strengthen ground presence, while more forces can be sent to air, sea and land sectors as needed.

According to The Times of Israel, the buildup comes amid rising violence in Judea and Samaria, and Defense Minister Israel Katz is transferring responsibility for that violence to the police. Haaretz English said the leave suspension was driven by concern that election day could encourage attacks, not by a specific warning or intelligence about enemy preparations.

The duration of the leave freeze will depend on ongoing assessments. The IDF has also said it will operate polling stations for soldiers starting Tuesday, with at least 850 stations planned, to help military voters take part in the election.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 13 newsrooms. Updated 08:42