The Israeli military is heightening its preparedness across all fronts as the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 approaches, military officials told Israeli state media.
Sources indicate that Israel is intensifying preparations for a potential response to Iran’s recent missile attack, both locally and regionally.
State television, citing military sources, reported that “there are countries in the region threatened by the Iranian danger that fully agree with Israeli positions”.
The same sources revealed that “officials from a neighbouring country”, which was not named, “held meetings with their Israeli counterparts” in recent days.
The United States is also expected to take an active role, with the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Kurilla, reportedly set to visit Israel this week.
Regarding the potential Israeli strike against Iran, sources emphasised that “the counterattack will be significant”, but clarified that “Israel’s intention is not to provoke a further serious response from Iran”.
On the Gaza front, the Israeli military announced it has expanded its presence along the “Netzarim Corridor” separating northern and southern Gaza.
Troop numbers in the Gaza Strip have increased in recent days, anticipating possible incidents marking the war’s one-year anniversary.
In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces have broadened their ground operation. Residents of villages and towns north of the Litani and Awali rivers, beyond the South Lebanon area, have been ordered to evacuate.
For the first time since the war’s outbreak, Israeli military officials claim full control over Lebanese airspace, stating that “earlier today, an Iranian plane was denied landing at Beirut International Airport”.
The plane reportedly belonged to Fars Air Qeshem, an Iranian transport company which Israeli sources allege serves the Revolutionary Guards.
Regarding Hezbollah’s activities, Israeli military reports in the past 48 hours increasingly claim that the Lebanese organisation is using local Red Crescent ambulances and hospital units to transport its personnel to various locations in Lebanon near the battle zones.
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