Katz Warns Hamas Ahead of Oct. 7 Anniversary: Harm to IDF Soldiers Will Bring a "Price Beyond All Proportion"

Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF today (Tuesday) to significantly increase its alert level in the Gaza Strip and prepare for every possible offensive scenario by Hamas ahead of the Oct. 7 anniversary, which falls tomorrow.

The directive followed intelligence indicating that Hamas intends to use the symbolic date to carry out attacks and terror operations against IDF forces operating in the Strip. At this stage, there is no warning of one specific planned scenario, but the IDF has been instructed to sharpen its operational readiness and remain on maximum alert.

The heightened readiness also comes amid a series of security incidents in the Strip in recent months, including attempted ambushes and the use of explosive devices, alongside ongoing concerns over attempts to abduct soldiers.

The Defense Minister’s Office said: "Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to increase its alert level and be prepared for every possible scenario in Gaza ahead of Oct. 7, which falls tomorrow, in light of intelligence regarding Hamas’s intentions to try to carry out attacks and terror operations against our forces in Gaza on that day."

Katz instructed the military to treat every warning seriously and act to thwart threats before they materialize, in addition to its ongoing operations in the Strip. In his words, "The defense minister stressed that preparations must be made for the most serious scenarios and that forces must act with great strength in response to any intelligence or warning in order to thwart every threat, beyond the powerful activity already taking place today."

At the same time, Katz issued a warning to Hamas that any harm to IDF forces would bring a severe response: "If, Heaven forbid, there is harm to our forces, Hamas and the population of Gaza will be the ones to pay the heavy price, beyond all proportion."

His office noted that the message was also made clear this week during a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Katz to the Kissufim outpost on the Gaza border, together with the commander of the Southern Command.