Katz orders heightened Gaza alert ahead of October 7 amid Hamas attack intelligence

Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to increase their alert status and prepare for potential threats in Gaza, ahead of October 7. This heightened state of readiness is due to intelligence suggesting Hamas plans to launch attacks against Israeli soldiers in the area on that day. In a statement, Katz emphasized the IDF's need to prepare for the worst and respond forcefully to any warnings or threats.

He further stated that if Israeli troops are harmed, Hamas and the Gaza population will face severe consequences.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Katz, and the head of the IDF Southern Command visited Kissufim, located on the Gaza border, to issue a similar warning. On Monday, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Director, David Zini, informed the Security Cabinet that Hamas is planning to kidnap soldiers, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Former IDF chief of staff and prime ministerial candidate Gadi Eisenkot criticized Katz's announcement as a rebuke of the government's handling of the events of October 7. Eisenkot stated that the heightened alert is a testament to the government's failure in achieving its goals and highlighted that Hamas remains the sovereign power in Gaza, posing a continued threat to Israeli citizens three years later.