Defense Minister Yisrael Katz instructed the IDF on Tuesday to increase its alert level and prepare for all possible scenarios in Gaza ahead of Wednesday’s third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas massacre.

Katz’s office said the directive followed intelligence indicating that Hamas intends to attempt attacks against Israeli troops operating in the Gaza Strip on the anniversary.

The defense minister instructed the military to take a stringent approach to preparations and act with significant force in response to any intelligence or warning, with the goal of thwarting threats alongside ongoing military operations in Gaza.

His office further warned that if IDF soldiers are harmed, Hamas and Gaza’s population would pay a heavy price “beyond all proportion.”

The warning followed statements made earlier this week by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Katz during a visit to the Kissufim military outpost near the Gaza border, where they were accompanied by the head of the IDF’s Southern Command.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)