Before the Election: Israel Reinforces Forces on All Fronts and Warns of Escalation

The Israeli army has reinforced its forces on all fronts, according to Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

Zamir warned during a visit to the West Bank of the growing danger of escalation as the date for the elections scheduled for later this month approaches.

Zamir stated that "the likelihood of incidents occurring on Israel's borders has increased amid the electoral atmosphere, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces fierce competition to remain in power in the elections scheduled for October 27."

According to a statement issued by the Israeli army, Zamir added, "In light of increasing alerts on all fronts and the sensitivity of this stage, the probability of escalation has risen," clarifying: "We have reinforced our forces in all areas."

He noted that the Israeli army has raised its alert level in preparation for "scenarios where attempts may be made to surprise us."

In recent days, Israel commemorated the third anniversary of the surprise attack launched by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

Israel responded to the attack by launching a war that turned most of the Gaza Strip into rubble and resulted in the deaths of more than 74,000 people, according to the Ministry of Health in the Strip under Hamas authority, figures considered reliable by the United Nations.

Zamir emphasized the need for "vigilance," stating that the army is "on high alert to launch large-scale offensive operations against any entity attempting to harm Israeli civilians."

In the Gaza Strip, one year after the implementation of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the Israeli army currently controls more than 60% of the devastated strip, while its strikes continue.

As for Lebanon, violence in the south has decreased since the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States last June, followed by the signing of a framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel stipulating Hezbollah's disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal; however, the implementation of the agreement has stalled.

Israel also faced attacks from Iran during the Middle East war that erupted last February.