Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned Wednesday that the risk of military escalation has increased across multiple fronts, as Israel prepares for national elections on October 27 amid growing tensions with Iran and its regional terrorist proxies.
Speaking during a visit to IDF Central Command headquarters, Zamir said intelligence warnings and regional instability have prompted the military to reinforce its forces, including deploying the elite 98th Division to Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank.
“In light of the numerous alerts across all fronts and the sensitivity of this period, the potential for escalation has increased,” Zamir warned.
The military chief emphasized that Israeli forces remain prepared for major offensive operations against any enemy threatening Israeli civilians, while maintaining heightened vigilance against potential surprise attacks.
Zamir also condemned violence by extremist Jewish settlers against Palestinian civilians during the annual olive harvest, declaring that such actions must be stopped and that Israeli security forces must protect innocent civilians.
Netanyahu Warns Iran’s Regime Must Go
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Wednesday that Iran’s ruling regime remains an existential threat to Israel, warning that Tehran continues seeking the Jewish state’s destruction.
“This regime must go,” Netanyahu told Israel’s Kan public broadcaster, although he acknowledged that regime change before the October 27 elections was unlikely.
Netanyahu also emphasized his close coordination with President Donald Trump, saying the American president understands the Iranian threat.
The warnings come as Israel confronts the possibility of renewed hostilities involving Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and additional security threats in Judea and Samaria.
With less than two weeks remaining before Israelis head to the polls, the IDF is preparing for the possibility that Israel’s enemies could exploit the politically sensitive period to launch coordinated attacks.
