IDF surveillance soldiers stationed in two separate sectors near the Gaza border are warning that Hamas operatives have been approaching the military’s designated security zone on a daily basis, raising fears of a dangerous repeat of the conditions that preceded the October 7 massacre. The soldiers say they repeatedly identify threats but often encounter delays in obtaining authorization to open fire.

In interviews with Channel 12, the lookouts said they have observed suspicious individuals—including Hamas terrorists—regularly nearing the yellow line, the boundary marking the IDF-controlled area inside Gaza. According to the soldiers, the activity poses a genuine danger, yet forces in the field are frequently not granted permission to neutralize those approaching.

The lookouts believe Hamas is deliberately probing Israel’s defenses, using these repeated incursions to gauge how quickly and forcefully the IDF responds.

One of the soldiers said the current atmosphere is eerily reminiscent of the days before Hamas launched its October 7 assault. “I feel like October 6th. The only difference is that we see it on the yellow line and not on the fence.” She added that those approaching the area appear to be constantly testing Israel’s response. “It’s literally like before October 7th.”

According to the lookouts, one of the greatest obstacles is the lengthy approval process required before troops can engage suspicious individuals. They said that when authorization must come from senior command levels, it can take considerable time, whereas approval is obtained much more quickly when the decision rests with the battalion commander on the ground.

The soldiers described one recent incident near the border in which a lookout spotted a suspect carrying what appeared to be a weapon and observed activity suggesting an explosive device might be planted. She immediately alerted troops in the area, but despite identifying what she believed to be a serious threat, no authorization was given to eliminate the suspect.

“It got stuck up top,” the lookout claimed. She said the soldiers feel powerless, explaining that while they identify suspicious activity in real time and warn the forces on the ground, they are often unable to translate those warnings into immediate action because of the approval process and a broader desire to preserve calm.

One lookout acknowledged that speaking publicly could expose her to disciplinary measures, but said remaining silent was no longer an option. “If they tell me that I’m going to jail because of what I said, I say it’s worth it.”

Responding to the report, the Prime Minister’s Office rejected claims that political leaders are limiting the military’s ability to act. “The political echelon does not restrict the IDF from eliminating any threat to our forces and citizens. In accordance with the political leadership’s directive, the Chief of Staff clarified the rules of engagement and emphasized: eliminating a threat is the responsibility of every soldier in the field, and every soldier is expected to act decisively to eliminate the threat.”

{Matzav.com}