Report: Shin Bet Chief Warns Eilat Could Face “the Next October 7”

Shin Bet chief David Zini has been warning in closed-door conversations and internal discussions about the possibility of a large-scale attack on Eilat, even referring to it as a place that could become the scene of “the next October 7.” That is according to a report published today (Monday) in "Haaretz," based on conversations with several security sources.

According to the report, Zini instructed the organization’s senior leadership to place preparations for a possible attack on the southern city at the very top of the priority list. As part of that effort, he is directing Shin Bet intelligence units to focus on gathering information and conducting threat assessments related to potential dangers facing Eilat, while asking that special resources and attention be devoted to the issue.

According to the sources, the Shin Bet chief sees Eilat as a significant security weak point, mainly because of its isolated geographic location and its distance from major population centers and military power hubs in central Israel. The city, which has about 60,000 residents, has unique characteristics that, in his view, require special attention from a security standpoint.

In discussions held both inside and outside the organization, Zini warned about the possibility of a ground incursion into the city through its land borders. According to the report, he is giving special attention to the possibility of infiltration from the Jordanian border, but believes scenarios involving entry by sea must also be taken into account.

According to the sources, Zini sees Eilat’s location, surrounded by borders with Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, as a factor requiring constant review of possible threats. In addition, its status as a major tourist destination creates, in his view, complex security challenges that require advance preparation.

Still, not everyone in the defense establishment shares his assessment. According to the report, senior officials have expressed doubts about the level of importance Zini is assigning to this scenario, and have also questioned whether any concrete intelligence exists pointing to a planned attack on the city.

Sources cited in the report said that while the theoretical possibility of an attack on Eilat does exist, there are currently no clear intelligence indications pointing to active planning for such an operation. At the same time, the defense establishment is now more sensitive to threats of this kind in light of the lessons of the October 7 attack and the criticism that followed the warning failures that preceded it.

The Shin Bet said in response to Zini’s warning: "Several months ago, as part of the transition into his role, the head of the Shin Bet conducted a tour of Eilat. We emphasize that there is no concrete information or warning, but rather a broader review of threats across all of the service’s areas of operation."