Daijiworld Media Network - Gaza
Gaza, Oct 21: The Israel Defense Forces (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 daily, amid concerns over possible attempts to disrupt Israel’s upcoming elections, a security source told Walla on Wednesday.
According to the source, some of those targeted were allegedly preparing to carry out operations against Israeli forces.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, who visited the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, addressed the heightened security situation 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 source said targeted killings had declined over the previous 24 hours because of intelligence gaps rather than instructions from Israel’s political leadership.
Defence Minister Israel Katz has directed security forces to expand intelligence-gathering operations ahead of the election amid concerns about 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, adding that there was no specific intelligence about an imminent operation. The source also alleged that Hamas was continuing efforts to rebuild its military wing.
The IDF’s Southern Command, Israel Air Force, Military Intelligence Directorate and Shin Bet security agency are preparing for various potential threats from Gaza ahead of the vote.
These include possible rocket launches, attacks on Israeli military positions along the Yellow Line and infiltration attempts targeting military outposts along the Yellow Line and the Hourglass Fence on the international border.
Security officials are concerned that such incidents could be intended to disrupt public attention and activities ahead of the election.
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 measures include positioning special forces units as rapid-response and reserve forces to prevent a surprise attack similar to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel.
Security officials have acknowledged gaps in intelligence coverage but said precautionary measures were being strengthened across operational areas to reduce the risk of an unexpected attack.
The military has also examined potential vulnerabilities in areas where terrain or other conditions could restrict surveillance.
Additional ambush positions and defensive measures are being prepared to strengthen readiness ahead of the election.