With just six days until Israel's elections, IDF steps up Gaza ops., prepares for Hamas attacks

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, who visited the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, also addressed heightened security tensions ahead of the October 27 election.

The IDF has intensified operations against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Gaza Strip over the past two weeks, eliminating an average of two to three field commanders and operatives per day amid concerns over potential attempts to disrupt Israel's upcoming elections, a security source told Walla on Wednesday.

According to the source, some of those targeted were on their way to carry out operations against IDF forces.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, who visited the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, also addressed heightened security tensions ahead of the October 27 election.

"Our goal is to thwart every threat and enable democratic elections to take place without external influence," Zamir said.

The number of targeted killings declined over the past 24 hours due to intelligence gaps rather than instructions from Israel's political leadership, according to the source.

Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed security forces to expand intelligence-gathering operations ahead of the election amid concerns over possible attempts to influence the electoral process.

"We are seeing Hamas take an interest in the Israeli elections and how they will affect the 'day after,'" the security source said. "There is no concrete intelligence regarding any particular operation, but we are not taking any chances. Hamas is also continuing its efforts to rebuild its military wing."

IDF prepares for infiltration attempts, attacks on military positions

The IDF's Southern Command, Israel Air Force, Military Intelligence Directorate, and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) are preparing for a range of potential threats originating from the Gaza Strip ahead of the election.

These scenarios include rocket launches, attacks on IDF positions along the Yellow Line, and infiltration attempts targeting military outposts along both the Yellow Line and the Hourglass Fence on the international border.

Security officials are concerned that such operations could be intended to disrupt Israel's public agenda ahead of the vote.

In response, Maj.-Gen. Itzik Cohen, head of the IDF Operations Directorate, has ordered reinforcements across air, sea, and ground operations in the coming days.

The reinforcements will include special forces units positioned as rapid-response and reserve forces, with the aim of preventing a surprise attack similar to the October 7 massacre.

Security officials acknowledged that intelligence coverage remains incomplete, emphasizing that the military is taking precautions across all operational domains to minimize the risk of an unexpected attack.

As part of these preparations, the IDF has examined potential vulnerabilities and areas where terrain or other conditions could limit surveillance capabilities.

Additional ambush positions and defensive measures are being prepared in these locations to strengthen the military's readiness ahead of the election.