Gaza Genocideupdated 1h ago3 min read
Israel Katz Puts Army On Maximum Alert Ahead Of October 7 Anniversary In Gaza
Katz threatens sweeping offensive if Palestinian security forces turn on Israelis Israel raises Gaza security alert ahead of the Oct. 7 anniversary
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Katz raises Gaza readiness
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz placed the army on maximum alert for any possible scenario on the eve of the seventh of October, 2023, the anniversary of Operation Thunder of Al-Aqsa, warning that the residents of Gaza will pay a heavy price if the army is attacked. Katz’s office said the orders were issued "in light of intelligence information regarding Hamas’s intention to attempt attacks and terrorist operations against our forces in Gaza on that day," and it added that "if our forces are targeted, the heavy price will be paid by Hamas and the residents of Gaza, beyond any proportion."
Al Jazeera reported that two Palestinians were martyred and several others were injured today, Tuesday, as Israeli bombardment and firing targeted various areas in the Gaza Strip, including an Israeli air raid on the city of Gaza. WAFA said a Palestinian was martyred and another injured in a drone strike near the Municipality Park in central Gaza City, and it also described Palestinians injured by a bicycle attack on Al-Wahda Street in western the city.
Threats tied to elections
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Tuesday that Israel would launch a comprehensive military offensive against the Palestinian Authority if its security forces or affiliated Tanzim groups attacked Israeli settlers and soldiers, while he separately ordered heightened military readiness in Gaza ahead of the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre.
Katz said, “In such a case, war will be declared against the Palestinian Authority and the IDF will launch a comprehensive attack in accordance with an organized plan that has been formulated and approved by Prime Minister Netanyahu and myself,” and he described a planned campaign involving ground and air forces.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Cabinet meeting that Hamas may try to act against Israel ahead of the elections in an effort to influence them, while he reiterated his promise to eradicate Hamas.
Netanyahu said, “Precisely because Hamas is so weak, it will try to challenge us with the remainder of its forces ahead of the elections to try to influence them. We are prepared for this,” and he added, “We will respond with overwhelming force if they make that mistake.”
Casualties and what is at risk
Al-Jazeera Net said Israeli violations of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, in effect since October 10, 2025, resulted in the martyrdom of 1,460 Palestinians and injuries to 5,116, according to the Gaza Strip’s Health Ministry. WAFA said the overall Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israeli genocide in October 2023 had reached 74,237, while the number of injured had reached 175,206, according to local health authorities.
The Times of Israel reported that the IDF said a Hamas sniper was killed in a strike in the southern Gaza Strip last night, and it said the strike in Khan Younis killed Tamer Hamaida, who served as a sniper operative in Hamas’s military wing. Al-Jazeera Net said more than 74,000 Palestinians have been martyred and more than 175,000 injured in the Gaza Strip since the start of the genocide war on October 7, 2023, according to Palestinian data, and it added that about 90% of the territory’s infrastructure has been destroyed.