Israel’s enemies could attack ahead of October elections, PM Netanyahu warns

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew criticism from the opposition and cautious denials from the security establishment on Tuesday after warning of security threats ahead of the upcoming elections.

Netanyahu visited the IDF Air Force Tel Nof base on Tuesday. He praised the “heroic pilots and our outstanding ground crews” for operating “constantly on all fronts,” particularly noting the recent elimination of the “despicable terrorist who kidnapped Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or” as well as the commander of Hamas’ Northern Gaza Brigade.

However, the prime minister then used the opportunity to send a warning to Israel’s enemies.

“We have indications that, ahead of the elections, our enemies will try to attack us. So from here, from this Air Force base, from the long arm of the State of Israel, I have a message for them: Don’t mess with us – not now, and not ever. Our long arm will reach you anywhere, at any time,” Netanyahu threatened.

🚨EXCLUSIVE: According to a U.S. intelligence official, Washington shares the assessment voiced today by Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding indications that an attack on Israel may be possible ahead of the upcoming elections.

The assessment concerns both Iran and its proxies… https://t.co/Nx9ewUNYNA

— גיא עזריאל Guy Azriel | Diplomatic Correspondent (@GuyAz) September 29, 2026

In another comment that could be interpreted as part of his election campaign, he added, “There have been tremendous achievements, but there are also tremendous pressures – pressure to withdraw, to give up the great achievements secured through the heroism of our fighters. I am not allowing that to happen, and I will not allow it to happen.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the prime minister for using “Israel’s security and IDF bases [as] backdrops for campaign videos.”

“Security threats must be handled professionally and responsibly... Without going into details, the IDF, Shin Bet and police are prepared for the election, and there is no reason to send the public into a panic,” he charged.

“In any case, the elections will be held on time, and no one has an excuse to disrupt them,” vowed Lapid.

Responding to Netanyahu’s statement, military officials told Ynet News that they are prepared for a range of scenarios surrounding the election date at the end of October, but noted that there is no intelligence pointing to a concrete, imminent threat.

However, i24 News cited American intelligence sources who said Washington agrees with Netanyahu’s assessment of a possibility of an attack on Israel before the elections, which could be carried out either by the Iranian regime itself or by one of its proxy forces across the region.

According to Ynet News, Israeli security officials are preparing for the possibility of Iranian attacks, not necessarily carried out via ballistic missiles, just before or after the Israeli elections, or, in an alternative scenario, timed to coincide with the U.S. midterm elections a week later, in order to gain leverage in the negotiations with President Donald Trump.

The Israeli security system has been on high alert in any case due to the holiday period. The IDF told Ynet that Netanyahu’s statement does not reflect a change in its assessment, and that there are no additional or upgraded warnings to the Israeli public.

The report also noted that the recent change of location of a meeting from the Prime Minister’s Office to another location was not caused by any security threat. The routine security update by Netanyahu and his military secretary’s for the opposition leader was held at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday.

Lapid’s statement criticizing Netanyahu followed this briefing.

“The IDF chief of staff has raised 10 red flags over a shortage of combat troops and attrition in the IDF. If Netanyahu is so concerned about the security situation, he should enlist the 15,000 Haredi men the IDF is lacking,” Lapid said in a statement afterward.

During a speech at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square that same evening, Lapid’s ally and chairman of their joint Together Party, Naftali Bennett, doubled down on the criticism.

“Netanyahu is now warning that our enemies are planning to attack. But as long as he continues to encourage mass evasion and dismantle the IDF, who exactly will fight them? I am issuing a strategic security warning here today. In the face of all the warnings about the enemies, the IDF is on the brink of collapse,” he said.

“We don't have enough soldiers. We don't have enough soldiers to provide security. The Chief of Staff is waving ten red flags that he's short 20,000 fighters, but Netanyahu, Deri, and Smotrich are ignoring it and dismantling the IDF… I am warning today that if we don't enlist the ultra-Orthodox in the next term, the IDF will simply collapse,” Bennett warned.