IDF Chief believes another round against Iran is inevitable - but only after the elections

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir believes there is no avoiding another round against Iran, but only after the elections. Eight days before the vote, the IDF is on high alert, but senior officials claim there is no concrete intelligence about an escalation. The concern is that Iran might try to surprise with a preemptive strike, while in the political echelon some are trying to drop hints about an Israeli attack for political reasons.

Eight days before the elections, the IDF is on high alert for possible security developments, but senior officials claim there is no concrete intelligence about an escalation. The main concern in the defense establishment is that Iran might think Israel and the US will try to surprise under the cover of the elections, and therefore the Iranians might attempt a preemptive strike. In the political echelon, some are trying to drop hints that Israel might attack for political reasons, raising fears of an Iranian miscalculation. However, senior security officials emphasize there is no urgent need to attack before the elections. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir believes that fighting against Iran should resume at some point, but not necessarily before the elections. The military leadership sees its top mission as ensuring stability and holding the elections on schedule. The article also notes tensions in Judea and Samaria, where right-wing extremists attack Palestinians during the olive harvest, and have also harmed an American photojournalist and foreign diplomats. Prime Minister Netanyahu responded with a weak condemnation.