Ahead of elections: IDF declares high alert, cancels weekend leave, orders general reinforcement
After a multi-front situational assessment on the IDF’s preparations for the election period, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir announced a series of measures to "enable the democratic elections to take place safely and as scheduled" on Oct. 27.
Zamir "stressed that the IDF remains on the highest state of alert and will maintain a high level of vigilance and readiness across all fronts," the military said.
To that effect, all troops will see their leaves cancelled starting this Thursday, ensuring full troop strength throughout the election period. Additional senior commanders will be also dispatched to command centers and headquarters "to ensure operational readiness."
To ensure security in Judea and Samaria, the IDF's Central Command will be reinforced "with the Paratroopers Brigade Headquarters and additional forces, in order to strengthen the deployment in the area." The headquarters "will serve as a mission-specific headquarters in the area between Samaria and Benjamin."
Finally, the IDF said that "additional soldiers will be allocated to the other fronts according to operational requirements - in the air, at sea, and on land."
