"Walla": Israel Raises Alert Level in Anticipation of Escalation and Rules Out a Strike on Iran Before the Elections
The Israeli news site Walla reported, citing security sources, that Israel has raised its alert level in anticipation of possible military escalation, but assessments rule out a strike on Iran before the Israeli and US elections. Netanyahu fears a military operation could hurt Likud's chances, while the possibility of a strike was raised in a call with Trump. Concerns include attacks by the Houthis, Hezbollah, or a miscalculation.
The Israeli news site Walla reported on Thursday, citing security sources, that Israel has raised its alert level in recent days in anticipation of possible military escalation, amid fears of attacks that could push it into a confrontation with Iran ahead of the elections. However, the report stated that the prevailing assessment rules out an Israeli or American strike against Iran before the Israeli parliamentary elections and the US midterm elections, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are likely to avoid the risk of repercussions from a military confrontation before the elections. According to the report, Netanyahu fears that a military operation against Iran could negatively affect the Likud party's chances of remaining in power. It added that the possibility of a strike was raised during a call between Netanyahu and Trump last week, and that the chances of carrying it out remain relatively high in Israeli assessments, despite the likelihood it will not happen before the elections. The site noted Israeli concerns that Iranian moves or Houthi attacks could push Israel to carry out a strike. Concerns include the possibility of a "miscalculation." The site reported that Israel informed Washington that if Iran commits a "mistake," it will be met with a severe strike. In this context, security agencies are preparing for scenarios including surprise attacks from Iran, Hezbollah, or the Houthis. Walla quoted security sources as saying that carrying out an Israeli strike against Iran depends on Trump's approval. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the chances of escalation have risen, and told US officials that escalation could lead to a postponement of the Israeli elections.