Israel Army Chief says Strengthening Armed Forces on all Fronts

JERUSALEM: The Israeli army chief said Wednesday the military was bolstering personnel numbers “across all fronts” amid a heightened danger of escalation as the country headed toward elections later this month.

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, speaking on a tour to the occupied West Bank, said the election campaign has increased the risk of incidents on Israel’s borders, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a tough contest for his political life in the October 27 poll.

The potential for escalation has increased given the rising number of alerts on all fronts and the sensitivity of this period,” he stated, according to an Israeli military statement. We have strengthened our forces in all directions.

The military has increased its level of readiness as it gets ready for scenarios where attempts may be made to catch us by surprise,” he continued.

Israel recently observed the third anniversary of Hamas’s surprise strike on Oct. 7, when Islamist militant group militants surged into Israel with pickup trucks and paragliders and opened fire at places including a music festival.

Vigilance is necessary, Zamir added, saying the military “is at a high level of readiness to launch extensive offensive operations against anyone who tries to harm Israeli civilians.

In Gaza, the devastated Palestinian territory is controlled by the Israeli army, which is continuing its strikes, a year after the implementation of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Violence has decreased in southern Lebanon following an agreement between the government and Israel on a framework accord to disarm Hezbollah. But the implementation of the deal has been delayed.

Also Read:

Musk Says US Govt May Be Behind Delays in Ukraine Drone Speeds

UAE Offers $1m AI Challenge at WEF Global Opportunities Centre