What happened
Israel's government has issued warnings of a potential attack by Hamas on the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, massacre. The Israeli National Security Council has issued a travel advisory, warning of an increased threat of attempts to harm Israelis and Jews abroad. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also warned that Hamas will try to attack Israel to influence its upcoming elections.
Experts say that while Hamas may still have the capability to plan one-off attacks, its current state may not allow it to conduct a large-scale attack. The Defense Ministry has instructed military personnel inside Gaza to operate on high alert through October 7, and the Israeli military is prepared to respond with force if necessary.
The warnings come as Israel prepares for elections on October 27, which are viewed as a dead heat between an alliance led by Netanyahu and one led by rival Gadi Eisenkot. The elections are seen as a referendum on Netanyahu's handling of the October 7 attacks.
