Tensions during the holiday: IDF on alert for multi-front scenario

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the IDF is on heightened alert across all sectors, preparing for a multi-front scenario involving simultaneous events in the north, Gaza, and Judea and Samaria. A senior officer told Kan News that the lessons of October 7 guide the military. In the north, alert levels were raised following the destruction of Hezbollah's underground infrastructure; in Gaza, two divisions are operating in offensive defense; in Judea and Samaria, 26 battalions are deployed and a surprise drill was conducted early this morning. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the IDF is ready to defend and attack.

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the IDF is on heightened alert across all sectors, preparing for a multi-front scenario where local events in the north, Gaza, and Judea and Samaria could occur simultaneously and escalate into a complex incident. A senior officer told Kan News today (Friday) that the lessons of October 7 guide the military. Over the past month and a half, plans have been approved and alert levels for the holidays have been defined. The IDF emphasizes that there will be no reduction in operational forces and that offensive activity will continue. In some units, leaves have been reduced, and standby forces remain at bases. All commanders in Judea and Samaria, including senior ones, have stayed with their troops. In the north, alert levels were raised following the destruction of Hezbollah's underground infrastructure on the Ali Taher ridge, and the IDF is preparing for the possibility that Hezbollah may attempt to respond. In Gaza, high alert is maintained, with two divisions operating in offensive defense. The most unusual alert is in Judea and Samaria, where 26 battalions are deployed, including 14 regular battalions, with an additional division on standby. The main concern is infiltration attacks on settlements, shootings at vehicles, explosive devices, and attacks in crowded areas. Early this morning, a surprise drill began in the Judea and Samaria Division, designed to test response time, operational readiness, and cooperation with the police, Border Police, and emergency services. The IDF clarified that this is a planned exercise. The drill follows the General Staff exercise "Dawn 2.0" held this week. Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said the drill is a message to enemies: "The IDF is fit, ready, and prepared to defend the State of Israel, and is ready to act quickly and attack forcefully anyone who tries to harm us." The IDF says the main lesson is that the danger is not necessarily a large attack from one front, but several small events occurring simultaneously that exploit the holiday routine.