Israel has placed its military on high alert ahead of the third anniversary of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, with Defence Minister Israel Katz warning of severe consequences if Israeli forces are attacked.
Katz issued the directive on Tuesday following what his office described as intelligence suggesting that Hamas could attempt to launch attacks against Israeli troops in Gaza on the anniversary.
The defence minister warned that any attack resulting in the death or injury of Israeli soldiers would trigger a harsh response.
“If, heaven forbid, our forces are harmed, the ones who will pay the heavy price will be Hamas and the population of Gaza — beyond all proportion,” Katz said.
The October 7, 2023 attack, in which Hamas-led militants entered southern Israel, resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
The militants also abducted 251 people and took them into Gaza. Forty-four of those hostages are reported to have died.
Israel subsequently launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza, which has resulted in extensive destruction across the territory.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 74,200 people have been killed since the beginning of the Israeli offensive. The ministry is controlled by Hamas, although its casualty figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
The ministry also reported that more than 1,440 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since a ceasefire was declared last October.
At a state ceremony on Monday marking three years since the October 7 attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Hamas would not govern Gaza.
“There will be no Hamas rule in Gaza,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel would continue pursuing those involved in the attack and those responsible for holding hostages.
The latest security alert comes amid heightened concerns over possible violence around the anniversary of the 2023 attack.
