Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir placed the military on its “highest state of alert” ahead of next week’s election and canceled soldiers’ leave, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israel’s enemies not to test the country.
Zamir held an assessment Monday morning with senior officers, during which he “stressed that the IDF’s mission is to enable the democratic elections to take place on schedule and safely,” according to a statement.
He said the military is “on the highest state of alert and will continue to maintain a high level of vigilance and readiness across all fronts” in the coming period, ahead of the October 27 vote.
Zamir ordered a leave freeze across IDF units starting Thursday, requiring soldiers to remain on base instead of taking planned leave, “subject to ongoing situational assessments.”
He also instructed the military to have more senior officers present in command centers “to ensure operational readiness and capability.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israel’s enemies not to test the country’s resolve during a visit to an unnamed Israeli Air Force base Monday.
“I say to our enemies: Do not test us,” Netanyahu said in a video released by his office. “You will suffer harder blows than you have suffered until now.”
He emphasized the air force’s “readiness, determination and capability to strike our enemies whenever required.”
“We are determined to defend ourselves,” Netanyahu added. “Do not test us.”
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