Israel raises military alert ahead of 7 October anniversary following intelligence of planned Hamas attacks

High alert ahead of anniversary

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the military on Tuesday to raise its alert level and prepare for every possible scenario across the Gaza Strip ahead of the third anniversary of the 7 October attacks. The directive follows intelligence reports indicating that Hamas plans to carry out operations and ambushes targeting Israeli armed forces. Israeli authorities expressed concern that the group intends to use the anniversary date to stage attacks on military outposts inside army-controlled sections of Gaza or attempt to capture soldiers. The defence ministry warned that any casualties among Israeli forces will trigger retaliatory actions affecting both Hamas and Gaza residents.

If, heaven forbid, our forces are harmed, the ones who will pay the heavy price will be Hamas and the population of Gaza - beyond all proportion.

Military warnings and Gaza deployment

The order from the defence ministry reflects ongoing military assessments regarding Hamas capabilities in the enclave. Israeli army officials have issued regular warnings to the government over recent months concerning attempts by Hamas to rebuild its operational strength. Israeli troops remain stationed across designated positions inside Gaza to counter potential infiltration and combat attempts. The warning of severe retaliation coincides with preparations for nationwide memorial events scheduled for Wednesday, 7 October 2026.

State commemorations in Jerusalem

On Monday, 5 October 2026, the Israeli government held an official state commemoration ceremony in Jerusalem to mark three years since the 2023 incursions. During the event, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the gathering and declared that Hamas will have no rule in Gaza going forward. Netanyahu pledged that Israeli security forces will continue to pursue any individuals involved in the 2023 attacks or in the abduction and holding of hostages. The official commemorations will culminate on Wednesday with nationwide events honouring the victims and captives taken during the initial assault.

Three-year toll and diplomatic appeals

The alert takes place against the backdrop of massive casualties recorded across the region since the conflict began three years ago. The 7 October 2023 attacks killed 1,221 people on the Israeli side, including 828 civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli data. During that assault, militants abducted 251 hostages into Gaza, 44 of whom were already dead at the time of capture. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 74,200 people in Gaza, according to figures from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry that the United Nations evaluates as reliable. Since a ceasefire was announced in October 2025, Israeli military operations have killed more than 1,440 additional people in the enclave.

On Monday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for the existing ceasefire to be made permanent and urged unrestricted humanitarian access.

It is time for the ceasefire to become permanent. It is time to allow humanitarian assistance at scale. And it is time to respect international law.

Guterres called for a political path toward lasting regional peace, urging both sides to ensure that the anniversary leads to a framework where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in security.