IDF takes no chances: the dramatic step before the elections

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered a halt to all IDF unit departures starting Thursday and a reinforcement of forces in Judea and Samaria, ahead of the elections and amid concerns of a security escalation. The high alert will continue until after the elections.

Ahead of the elections and amid concerns of a security escalation, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered a halt to all IDF unit departures starting this Thursday and a reinforcement of forces in Judea and Samaria. The IDF is deploying an additional regular brigade to reinforce the Judea and Samaria Division and the 98th Division. The high alert will continue until after the elections. The multi-front situation assessment was attended by the head of the Operations Directorate, the head of Military Intelligence, and the commanders of the regional commands. Zamir emphasized that the IDF's mission is to enable the democratic elections to take place on schedule and safely. The IDF's concerns include, among others, Jewish terrorism and friction with Palestinians. The headline calls the move a "dramatic step" but the body describes a relatively routine operational measure.