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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the Israel Defense Forces to raise readiness in Gaza before the third anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, citing intelligence that the group may target Israeli troops on the date. He told the military to prepare for “all possible scenarios,” act decisively on warnings of an imminent threat and prevent attacks before they materialize.

Details

• Readiness order: Katz said intelligence indicates Hamas intends to carry out “assaults and attacks” against Israeli forces in Gaza on October 7. He instructed the IDF to strengthen preparations alongside operations already underway and said any intelligence or warning should trigger decisive measures to thwart a threat.
• Response warning: The defense minister warned that Israeli military casualties would bring a severe response. “If our forces are harmed, Hamas and the population of Gaza will pay a heavy and disproportionate price,” Katz said, raising the prospect of broader military action following an attack.
• Rocket decline: On the second anniversary of the attack, militants in Gaza launched a rocket toward the Israeli border community of Netiv Ha’asara. No rocket fired from Gaza has since successfully reached Israeli territory. Another projectile launched in January fell inside the Gaza Strip before reaching its intended target. That marks a sharp change from earlier war stages, when armed groups regularly fired barrages at Israeli cities and communities.
• Evolving threat: Hamas’s ability to mount large-scale rocket attacks has been significantly degraded, while Israeli operations have targeted much of its military infrastructure. Hamas and other armed factions have continued operating through smaller, decentralized cells, using tactics that include ambushes, explosives and attacks on troops.
• Operational focus: The altered threat requires Israeli forces to prepare for localized attacks against troops, military positions and vehicles, rather than concentrating solely on large rocket barrages. Katz’s instructions place intelligence and early warning at the center of the military posture surrounding the anniversary.

Background

Hamas-led gunmen crossed the Gaza border on October 7, 2023, attacking Israeli communities and military positions. Approximately 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were taken into Gaza. The assault triggered the Gaza war and reshaped Israeli security policy. Israeli forces continue operating in parts of the territory, where Hamas retains armed capabilities. The anniversary is now a national day of remembrance in Israel and a symbolic date for Palestinian armed factions.

What’s next

Israeli commanders will monitor the days surrounding October 7 for changes in rocket activity, attacks on troops and other signs of planned operations. Any intelligence indicating an imminent threat will determine whether the IDF takes further preventive action or adjusts its deployment in and around Gaza.