IDF on Highest Alert Ahead of Yom Kippur

Over the last few days, military forces conducted surprise drills and war games designed to test response speed and the transition from defensive routine to offensive and intensive combat.

A senior military source clarified that the army is prepared for more distant threats as well, including Iran, and maintains a broad toolkit enabling immediate activation alongside organized plans for an extended campaign. The central message emerging from senior command is one of not relying on hopes for quiet. A senior officer described the situation as "operational vigilance required in light of known operational vulnerability," emphasizing that the goal is to ensure that even in a scenario of surprise during the holiday, security forces will not be caught off guard and will be able to respond forcefully and immediately.

Northern Front: Infrastructure Clearing and Confronting Existing Threats

On the Lebanese border, despite the ceasefire, the IDF continues to maintain a meticulous defense system accompanied by proactive clearing operations. Forces are operating in the field to destroy Hezbollah terror infrastructure and tunnels, continuing the focused activity recently conducted on the Ali Taher ridge. Simultaneously, continuous work is being carried out to fortify positions and outposts under IDF control, based on the understanding that preparation is needed for the possibility of the arrangement's collapse and a return to full combat.

Tension in the north found concrete expression last weekend when two IDF soldiers were lightly wounded as a result of an explosive device detonation. The device, which was planted in the area before the ceasefire took effect, illustrates the danger posed even by old terror infrastructure left behind by the enemy. In response to the incident, the IDF carried out strikes inside Lebanese territory. The security establishment understands well that Hezbollah, despite having suffered severe blows and being defined as a weakened organization, is exploiting the time to reorganize and rearm, and has not abandoned its hostile intentions toward Israel.

In the Gaza Strip sector, the operational picture is described as relatively comfortable for IDF forces operating in the area. However, senior military officials warn against complacency. A senior officer addressed the situation in the south and emphasized that despite the severe damage to Hamas, the Operations Directorate is not deluding itself, as the organization's infrastructure and operatives still exist in the field and pose a threat. The same senior official noted that if the security reality requires it, there may be no choice but to renew ground maneuvers throughout the Strip to complete the dismantling of terror organizations' military capabilities.

Meanwhile, intelligence and operational efforts continue in the rear and additional circles. The Shin Bet revealed that as part of extensive activity over the past two months, 12 terrorists who took active part in the murderous October 7 massacre were arrested throughout Judea and Samaria and other locations. These arrests constitute an additional layer in the overall effort to bring to account all those involved in the terror attack and to thwart new organizations ahead of the tense holiday period.