The Israeli National Security Council has warned Israeli citizens abroad of an “elevated risk of attempted attacks” on the three‐year anniversary of the October 7, 2023 massacre, the Times of Israel reports. The council said terrorist organizations — notably Iran and its proxies, Hamas, and elements of the global jihad — consider the date significant. The message, shared by the prime minister’s office, advised Israelis to avoid travel to Jordan, Qatar, Somaliland and Egypt.

Yesterday it was reported that Hamas is preparing a new attack to coincide with or follow Israel’s upcoming elections, an alert attributed to Shin Bet chief David Zini. Israel’s elections are scheduled for October 27.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, quoted by the Times of Israel, said that because Hamas is weakened it may try to strike with its remaining forces before the election in an attempt to influence the outcome. “We are ready,” he added. “First, we will thwart these attempts and, in any case, if they make this mistake, we will respond with overwhelming force.”

Defense Minister Israel Katz cited intelligence indicating that “Hamas intends to try to carry out assaults and attacks against our forces in Gaza” tomorrow, on the three‐year anniversary of October 7.

Katz on the West Bank: “Israeli forces preparing for possibility of war with the Palestinian Authority”

According to the Times of Israel, Katz told ministers that, regarding the West Bank and a possible “short and powerful” war that would bring a “change of reality,” the IDF has been ordered to prepare for a scenario of conflict with the Palestinian Authority.

The IDF’s reference scenario for the West Bank includes preparations for possible attacks by jihadist elements against settlers and IDF soldiers, Katz said, the paper notes, adding that the minister is known for blunt statements and that his remarks come days before the October 27 vote.

Katz said the IDF is preparing for a scenario in which Palestinian Authority security forces and the affiliated Tanzim organization turn their weapons against settlers and IDF troops in the West Bank and along the borders. “In that case, there would be a declaration of war against the Palestinian Authority and the IDF would launch an offensive according to a detailed plan formulated and approved by me and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” he said.

According to the Times of Israel, Katz described the campaign against the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank as intended to be “short and decisive,” involving ground and air forces, special units, the removal and expulsion of senior officials, destruction of weapons, large‐scale relocation of residents, and the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure in cities and refugee camps — “on the model of Gaza and Lebanon,” he added.

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