Israeli forces have raided and displaced more than 200 Palestinian families from Hebron in the occupied West Bank within a day, in an act being described by Israeli officials as a campaign of collective punishment. This comes following an attack by gunmen who killed two Israeli soldiers and injured three near a checkpoint outside the city, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a comprehensive lockdown of the entire occupied West Bank.According to reports documented by Al Jazeera, nearly 1,000 checkpoints, roadblocks, and iron gates across the West Bank have been completely sealed. At least 15 towns have been targeted in the northern West Bank, including Nablus, Jenin, Tubas and Qalqilya, according to Al Jazeera. Clashes were reported in Hebron, southern West Bank, between Israeli settlers and Palestinian families, according to Israel’s Walla news outlet.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-yellow-vest-protests-paris-security-deployment-macron-1792836989083">France deploys 70,000 security personnel as protests sweep across the nation</a>This comes after an Israeli bulldozer demolished a three-storey building, as families were given five minutes to collect their belongings. Al Jazeera reported that they carried “small bags of clothes” and are now set up in temporary shelters facilitated by the Hebron municipality. Hebron has been strictly sealed off, with seven primary district entrances closed by the military. Movement between cities in the West Bank has been heavily restricted, isolating local communities.The far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, posted a video of himself in front of a bulldozer as it tore down a Palestinian home near the site of the firefight. This comes on the trail of an election campaign which saw Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition bloc weaken, according to a final poll published on October 23 by the Israeli newspaper Maariv, with 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset. The election is being seen as a referendum on Netanyahu's promise to guarantee Israeli national security.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">אנחנו מעבירים מסר חד-משמעי לאויבינו: אם תתעסקו עם היהודים, תשלמו מחירים כואבים מאוד.

כחלק מיצירת ההרתעה וגביית המחיר על ההיתקלות הקשה היום באזור חברון, הנחיתי להרוס שורה של מבנים בלתי חוקיים, שנהרסים ברגעים אלה ממש. https://t.co/s2be7Ype6z&mdash; בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) <a href="https://x.com/bezalelsm/status/2113627735314624823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Israel imposes a sweeping lockdown across the occupied West Bank, sealing nearly 1,000 checkpoints and displacing hundreds of Palestinian families in Hebron.

Israeli forces have raided and displaced more than 200 Palestinian families from Hebron in the occupied West Bank within a day, in an act being described by Israeli officials as a campaign of collective punishment. This comes following an attack by gunmen who killed two Israeli soldiers and injured three near a checkpoint outside the city, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a comprehensive lockdown of the entire occupied West Bank. According to reports documented by Al Jazeera, nearly 1,000 checkpoints, roadblocks, and iron gates across the West Bank have been completely sealed. At least 15 towns have been targeted in the northern West Bank, including Nablus, Jenin, Tubas and Qalqilya, according to Al Jazeera. Clashes were reported in Hebron, southern West Bank, between Israeli settlers and Palestinian families, according to Israel’s Walla news outlet. Also Read: France deploys 70,000 security personnel as protests sweep across the nation This comes after an Israeli bulldozer demolished a three-storey building, as families were given five minutes to collect their belongings. Al Jazeera reported that they carried “small bags of clothes” and are now set up in temporary shelters facilitated by the Hebron municipality. Hebron has been strictly sealed off, with seven primary district entrances closed by the military. Movement between cities in the West Bank has been heavily restricted, isolating local communities. The far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, posted a video of himself in front of a bulldozer as it tore down a Palestinian home near the site of the firefight. This comes on the trail of an election campaign which saw Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition bloc weaken, according to a final poll published on October 23 by the Israeli newspaper Maariv, with 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset. The election is being seen as a referendum on Netanyahu's promise to guarantee Israeli national security.

Israel imposes a sweeping lockdown across the occupied West Bank, sealing nearly 1,000 checkpoints and displacing hundreds of Palestinian families in Hebron.

Israel seals off Hebron, displaces hundreds of Palestinian families in a day

 The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (or AIPAC), a major pro-Israel lobbying group in the United States, has changed tactics ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, announcing that it will cease direct endorsements and donations to candidates. AIPAC’s decision comes following a decline in public support for Israel in the US over its genocide of besieged Palestinians in Gaza.

Influential Israel lobby group ends direct funding to US midterm candidates amid Gaza backlash

As tensions in Israel and U.S. draw closer, tensions in West Asia are rising again. U.S. has dispatched another warship to West Asia. With Tehran prepared for a large-scale retaliation, speculation is growing over the possibility of U.S. and Israel striking Iran as early as the weekend. Tune into Gravitas at 9 PM to find out more.

US attack could trigger WW III, Russian planes in Tehran, Israeli jets, US warships in action

The US and Israel are reportedly preparing plans for fresh strikes on Iran in the coming weeks, with attacks unlikely before the November 3 US midterm elections. Donald Trump is said to be wary of disrupting oil markets before the vote. Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site could be among the potential targets as tensions over Tehran’s nuclear and military programmes persist. Will the post-election period bring a new wave of strikes?

Trump approval falls to record low of 31% as midterms near 

Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon are putting Hezbollah under pressure, but the strategy carries political risks. Analysts warn that a prolonged Israeli presence could fuel nationalist sentiment in Lebanon, giving Hezbollah an opportunity to rebuild support and resist disarmament.

Israel's military pressure could help Hezbollah regain influence

US and Israel reportedly weighing fresh strikes on Iran as American forces and diplomatic missions across West Asia reduce exposure to possible escalation. Now this pullback of US soldiers are similar to February before war began. Reports say the potential targets include fortified nuclear infrastructure at Pickaxe Mountain, Qeshm Island near Strait of Hormuz and Kharg Island which is critical hub for Iranian oil exports.  Israeli jets flew dozens to Iran border. IRGC vows invasion as its defence doctrine turns offensive and asymmetrical.

Iran to invade neighbours soon, Israeli jets in action, American troops ready to strike any moment

Israel's general election takes place on Tuesday 27 October.

It's the first election since the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel and its subsequent conflicts in Gaza and with Iran, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

Israel elections explained: How the system works 

 Israel has barred a United Airlines pilot from serving as a crew member on flights entering Israeli airspace after reviewing social media allegations of support for Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah, Channel 12 reported. The allegations remain unverified, and the restriction is reportedly largely procedural, as the pilot was not qualified to operate such flights.

Israel bars United Iranian-origin pilot after security review

Polymarket prediction markets are putting Israeli politician Gadi Eisenkot at a 49% chance of becoming Israel’s next prime minister, compared with 31% for incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu. The figures reflect market-based expectations about Israel’s political future, not official election results or reliable predictions of the final outcome.


Polymarket: 49% chance of Eisenkot becoming PM, 31% for Netanyahu

From his childhood in Israel to his family’s influence and formative years abroad, discover how Benjamin Netanyahu’s early life shaped his political outlook, leadership style and rise to power.

How Israel's early years shaped Netanyahu

Days ahead of the General election, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled the country's national security doctrine. On this occasion, he presented a map which outlined his vision for strengthening partnerships with more countries across the world. This comes amid his fear of losing U.S. support.


Netanyahu fears losing US support, unveils national security doctrine ahead of polls

At the peak of the Iran war, Israel struggled to defend itself against swarms of Iranian Shahed drones.Ukraine has been facing a similar struggle against Russia's Shahed-type drones, which have caused significant damage in the country.Now, both countries have joined hands to combat threats from Russia and Iran.According to former Israeli envoy Michael Brodsky, Ukraine has sent several weapons used by Russia in its ongoing war to Israel for examination.While he did not specify the weapons in question, reports suggested that Israel is studying samples of Russian drones based on Iranian-made Shahed drones.But what is the purpose of this?Israeli researchers can better understand the modifications Russia has made to its drones and develop ways to counter them.This is vital as drones have emerged as a key tool of warfare.Now, Russia has repeatedly evolved its tactics for penetrating Ukrainian air defences through the course of its war.For instance, after initially using Iran's Shahed drones, Russia began mass-producing its own jet-powered versions called Gerans.Now, its most advanced version, Geran-5, is creating quite a flutter in Ukraine.It flies more like a cruise missile.According to Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, its speed can touch 600 kilometres per hour and it can strike targets close to 950 kilometres away, which is much more than its previous variants.Thus, Ukraine's existing air defence measures are relatively ineffective in intercepting this drone.Additionally, these drones are relatively cheaper compared to high-end cruise missiles.As of March this year, Ukraine claimed that Russia had fired over 57,000 Shahed-type drones.On its part, Ukraine is testing five types of high-speed interceptor drones designed to combat Russia's jet-powered drones.Last month, Zelensky even shared footage of one such drone, which has already been deployed on the war front.In this context, the Israel-Ukraine collaboration is perceived as a win-win for both sides.While Israel has the edge in terms of technological prowess, Ukraine has first-hand experience of tackling Russian weapons in combat.

Ukraine has reportedly sent Russian weapons to Israel for examination, as both countries look to counter Shahed-type drones and Russia's evolving drone warfare tactics.

At the peak of the Iran war, Israel struggled to defend itself against swarms of Iranian Shahed drones. Ukraine has been facing a similar struggle against Russia's Shahed-type drones, which have caused significant damage in the country. Now, both countries have joined hands to combat threats from Russia and Iran. According to former Israeli envoy Michael Brodsky, Ukraine has sent several weapons used by Russia in its ongoing war to Israel for examination. While he did not specify the weapons in question, reports suggested that Israel is studying samples of Russian drones based on Iranian-made Shahed drones. But what is the purpose of this? Israeli researchers can better understand the modifications Russia has made to its drones and develop ways to counter them. This is vital as drones have emerged as a key tool of warfare. Now, Russia has repeatedly evolved its tactics for penetrating Ukrainian air defences through the course of its war. For instance, after initially using Iran's Shahed drones, Russia began mass-producing its own jet-powered versions called Gerans. Now, its most advanced version, Geran-5, is creating quite a flutter in Ukraine. It flies more like a cruise missile. According to Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, its speed can touch 600 kilometres per hour and it can strike targets close to 950 kilometres away, which is much more than its previous variants. Thus, Ukraine's existing air defence measures are relatively ineffective in intercepting this drone. Additionally, these drones are relatively cheaper compared to high-end cruise missiles. As of March this year, Ukraine claimed that Russia had fired over 57,000 Shahed-type drones. On its part, Ukraine is testing five types of high-speed interceptor drones designed to combat Russia's jet-powered drones. Last month, Zelensky even shared footage of one such drone, which has already been deployed on the war front. In this context, the Israel-Ukraine collaboration is perceived as a win-win for both sides. While Israel has the edge in terms of technological prowess, Ukraine has first-hand experience of tackling Russian weapons in combat.

Ukraine has reportedly sent Russian weapons to Israel for examination, as both countries look to counter Shahed-type drones and Russia's evolving drone warfare tactics.

Israel examines Russia's Shahed-type drones sent by Ukraine to combat Iran | Gravitas

Former Israeli military chief and Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot leads Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in public opinion polls and prediction markets as the country approaches the October 27, 2026 national election.


 Anti-Netanyahu bloc widens lead in poll	

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed phasing out direct U.S. military aid to Israel over the next decade.


Netanyahu seeks to phase out US military aid over next decade

Explosive-laden quadcopters are adding a new dimension to the fighting in southern Lebanon. Flying low over damaged buildings and dirt roads, the drones give operators a first-person view of Israeli military targets before striking. The footage highlights the growing role of low-cost FPV drones in modern warfare.

Group's fibre-optic drones pose new challenge for Israel

Israel is reportedly testing a drone equipped with a machine gun capable of carrying 200 rounds, highlighting the growing role of armed unmanned aerial systems in modern warfare. The development reflects ongoing efforts to integrate drone technology with military capabilities for remote operations and battlefield missions.

Israel tests drone armed with machine gun & 200 rounds

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to seek the Centre’s approval to send a team to the UAE to record the statement of Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar. The agency also plans to coordinate with local investigators probing the alleged hijacking attempt and may seek access to arrested Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami for questioning, according to Hindustan Times.

Flydubai hijack scare: NIA to seek Centre's nod for UAE visit to probe Flydubai case 

An Ethiopian airlines flight to Israel was reportedly forced to turn around after one of its pilots was revealed to be Indonesian. What happened and why? What's been happening behind the scenes?


Are Muslim pilots banned from flying commercial airlines into Israel?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would like to join Saudi's fight against Houthis.

However, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has opposed Israeli military involvement, fearing a likely backlash among the kingdom's citizenry.

According to a report in Israeli newspaper Haaretz, "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking Saudi Arabia's approval, through US mediation, for Israel to join the campaign against Yemen's Houthis."


Israel wants to join fight against Houthis?

A Delta flight from New York was evacuated at Ben Gurion Airport after an anonymous bomb threat was made on Tuesday. The plane was thoroughly checked in an isolated area of the airport following the message. The airport staff said that they found no evidence of a bomb on board the plane. Israel Airports Authority later announced that the suspected bomb incident had ended and normal operations had resumed.&nbsp;The anonymous message claimed that the bomb was in the cargo hold of the aircraft. The plane was taken away from the terminal to avert any potential danger.<h2>Flydubai incident</h2>The incident comes days after the flydubai hijack scare where the co-pilot of the plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv tried to take control of the aircraft. He attacked the pilot with an axe, severely injuring him. But the Indian native managed to open the cockpit door, exposing what was happening inside.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flydubai-co-pilot-developed-extremist-views-while-studying-in-australia-uae-prosecutors-1791613443387">Flydubai co-pilot developed extremist views while studying in Australia: UAE prosecutors</a>&nbsp;The plane had plummeted to 14,000 feet as no one was in charge of the controls. Off-duty pilots steadied the plane while the rest of the crew and some passengers managed to subdue the co-pilot and prevent a major disaster.<h2>Indian pilot saved the day</h2>Indian captain Smit Machchhar was praised for his bravery and for opening the door despite being stabbed. Investigators found that the banned pilot wanted to crash the plane at the Ben Gurion airport. Hammam al-Hammami, the Omani pilot, was previously flagged for his radical views and banned from flying.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omani-co-pilot-showed-extreme-religious-behaviour-refused-to-shake-hands-with-women-reveals-flydubai-colleague-1790858119348">Omani co-pilot showed extreme religious behaviour, refused to shake hands with women, reveals flydubai colleague</a>&nbsp;The attacker was from Oman, a country Israel has no relations with. He should not have been permitted to fly a plane full of Israelis, raising questions about how he managed to get the job. Israel has since introduced a "significant change" to Israel's civil aviation procedures and security oversight. An Israeli delegation comprising members of the Transportation Ministry and security agencies is going to Dubai to establish a secure aviation arrangement for Israeli airlines.

Tel Aviv airport authorities moved the plane to a far-off location and evacuated the flight after a bomb threat was made on Tuesday morning (October 13). The incident comes days after a pilot tried to hijack and crash a flydubai plane. 

A Delta flight from New York was evacuated at Ben Gurion Airport after an anonymous bomb threat was made on Tuesday. The plane was thoroughly checked in an isolated area of the airport following the message. The airport staff said that they found no evidence of a bomb on board the plane. Israel Airports Authority later announced that the suspected bomb incident had ended and normal operations had resumed. The anonymous message claimed that the bomb was in the cargo hold of the aircraft. The plane was taken away from the terminal to avert any potential danger. Flydubai incident The incident comes days after the flydubai hijack scare where the co-pilot of the plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv tried to take control of the aircraft. He attacked the pilot with an axe, severely injuring him. But the Indian native managed to open the cockpit door, exposing what was happening inside. Also Read: Flydubai co-pilot developed extremist views while studying in Australia: UAE prosecutors The plane had plummeted to 14,000 feet as no one was in charge of the controls. Off-duty pilots steadied the plane while the rest of the crew and some passengers managed to subdue the co-pilot and prevent a major disaster. Indian pilot saved the day Indian captain Smit Machchhar was praised for his bravery and for opening the door despite being stabbed. Investigators found that the banned pilot wanted to crash the plane at the Ben Gurion airport. Hammam al-Hammami, the Omani pilot, was previously flagged for his radical views and banned from flying. Also Read: Omani co-pilot showed extreme religious behaviour, refused to shake hands with women, reveals flydubai colleague The attacker was from Oman, a country Israel has no relations with. He should not have been permitted to fly a plane full of Israelis, raising questions about how he managed to get the job. Israel has since introduced a "significant change" to Israel's civil aviation procedures and security oversight. An Israeli delegation comprising members of the Transportation Ministry and security agencies is going to Dubai to establish a secure aviation arrangement for Israeli airlines.

Tel Aviv airport authorities moved the plane to a far-off location and evacuated the flight after a bomb threat was made on Tuesday morning (October 13). The incident comes days after a pilot tried to hijack and crash a flydubai plane.&nbsp;

Delta flight from New York to Israel evacuated following bomb threat

Israel’s upcoming elections are setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle for control of the Knesset, the country’s parliament. Pre-election predictions and polling are drawing attention to the competing parties, shifting voter preferences, and key issues shaping the campaign. The outcome could influence Israel’s future government, domestic policies, and political direction amid ongoing regional tensions.


Israel's pre-poll prediction: High-stakes battle for Knesset unfolds

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labelling him a “wanted war criminal” who is desperately trying to save himself “like a degenerate gambler” at the cost of &nbsp;“Arab, American &amp; Iranian blood” and US money. He claimed that Netanyahu has little regard for his own people.“Netanyahu is a wanted war criminal with Arab, American &amp; Iranian blood on his hands. To escape justice, he has no regard for his own people either. Like a degenerate gambler, he's desperately seeking to save himself with more US blood and treasure. Even U.S. Senators want out,” Araghchi said in a post on X.Araghchi made the post while sharing an interview with an Israeli general, Avi Gil, regarding the events of October 7, 2023, and internal criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-renaming-atlantic-pacific-ocean-trump-ocean-1791713921124">Trump floats renaming Atlantic or Pacific Ocean ‘Trump Ocean’ or ‘Ocean of the Americas’</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Netanyahu is a wanted war criminal with Arab, American &amp;amp; Iranian blood on his hands. To escape justice, he has no regard for his own people either.

Like a degenerate gambler, he's desperately seeking to save himself with more U.S. blood and treasure. Even U.S. Senators want out.&mdash; Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) <a href="https://x.com/araghchi/status/2108882506997026856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Avi Gil served as the Military Secretary to the Prime Minister from July 2021 to May 2024. In this role, he was the primary defence liaison for Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, and Benjamin Netanyahu, sitting in on security cabinet meetings and handling crucial top-secret communications.&nbsp;Gil became the centre of significant political attention in Israel due to a bombshell interview broadcast on Channel 12 News. Gil asserted that Netanyahu actively passed up clear-cut opportunities to execute a deal to bring Israeli hostages home from Gaza alive. He also claimed that all heads of Israel's security services had continuously warned Netanyahu that deep societal divisions over his government’s judicial policies were severely eroding Israel's military deterrence. He also accused Netanyahu's office of attempting to cover up a delayed response by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the opening minutes of the October 7 attack.

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of risking Arab, American and Iranian lives, citing an Israeli general's criticism.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labelling him a “wanted war criminal” who is desperately trying to save himself “like a degenerate gambler” at the cost of “Arab, American & Iranian blood” and US money. He claimed that Netanyahu has little regard for his own people. “Netanyahu is a wanted war criminal with Arab, American & Iranian blood on his hands. To escape justice, he has no regard for his own people either. Like a degenerate gambler, he's desperately seeking to save himself with more US blood and treasure. Even U.S. Senators want out,” Araghchi said in a post on X. Araghchi made the post while sharing an interview with an Israeli general, Avi Gil, regarding the events of October 7, 2023, and internal criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Also Read: Trump floats renaming Atlantic or Pacific Ocean ‘Trump Ocean’ or ‘Ocean of the Americas’

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of risking Arab, American and Iranian lives, citing an Israeli general's criticism.

Araghchi calls Netanyahu ‘degenerate gambler’, cites Israeli general’s explosive claims on October 7

Three years after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, Israel’s military campaign has reshaped the Middle East, with more than 100,000 strikes reported across multiple fronts. From Gaza to Lebanon and beyond, the conflict has transformed Israel’s security doctrine, expanded regional hostilities and intensified debates over military strategy, civilian casualties and the future of the region.

100,000 strikes in 3 years: How October 7 redefined Israel's war 

Three people were reportedly killed in Saudi Arabia following Houthi attacks targeting airports, adding to regional tensions and raising fresh concerns over the safety of civilian infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Israel carried out strikes in Gaza as the October 7 attack anniversary was marked, with the conflict continuing to drive regional instability and a heavy humanitarian toll. The developments highlight the wider security tensions across the Middle East.

Iran-backed groups target Riyadh airport with ballistic missiles

Israel has blocked Palestinian election officials from operating in East Jerusalem, according to Palestinian officials, raising concerns over the participation of Palestinian residents of the city in any future elections.


Israel-Gaza War: Fresh explosions rock Gaza as Israeli strikes reported across strip

Almost three years after the October 7 Al Aqsa flood by Hamas, which killed exactly 1,195 innocent people, including 736 Israeli civilians, 38 children, 380 Israeli security forces and 79 foreign nationals, several questions regarding the details of the attack remain unanswered. Even if we overlook the European settler colonialism, the historical injustice of Nakba, converting Gaza into an open-air prison and the disproportionality of the response following October 7, which was likened to genocide by the UN, there are certain specific questions concerning the Al Aqsa Flood and the Supernova festival that are still baffling. Some of these questions have been blissfully ignored by the Western media but were highlighted courtesy of Israeli media.&nbsp;<h2>Did Israel know about October 7?</h2>Israel had warning signs about a possible Hamas attack. Extensive investigative reports by Israeli newspaper Haaretz claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was personally warned about a potential Hamas attack, and even his security agencies were also notified repeatedly. In fact, reports suggest that the UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed called Netanyahu roughly a week and a half before the attacks for a 45-minute conversation and warned him that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a major offensive. Former Palestinian Authority official Sufian Abu Zaida stated that on September 14, 2023, Sinwar directly warned about a major offensive by the end of September. According to a NYT report, Israeli Military intelligence had a "Jericho Wall" blueprint for Hamas's multi-point border invasion almost a year ahead of the incident.<h2>IDF response time</h2>Israel is a small country, similar to states like Nagaland and Manipur in northeastern India. Major regional military reserve and reinforcement hubs such as the Tze'elim training base were positioned roughly 20 to 40 kms from the Gaza border, but it took the IDF roughly 3- 6 hours to respond to the crisis. Reports from Israeli media Hareetz suggest the initial assault started between 06:30– 07:30 am; initial responders were police and individual military personnel; an organised response was started at around 12:00 pm and later. &nbsp;The IDF's own probe found its leadership initially denied they'd been beaten. Police also told the army the area was cleared. There has been no independent enquiry into this.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/marco-rubio-greece-west-at-crossroads-national-power-tech-1791379359218">Rubio in Greece: West ‘at crossroads’, urges national power, tech dominance</a><h2>Hannibal Directive</h2>This is the most contested question that has been mostly overlooked: the long-time secretive directive, later reportedly revoked in 2016 by Gadi Eisenkot. The Hannibal directive allows Israeli soldiers to use potentially massive amounts of force to prevent a soldier from falling into the hands of the enemy. Haaretz reported that the directive was invoked on October 7, while Israeli army commanders struggled to fully grasp the scale of the assault by Hamas. According to documents accessed by Haaretz, it was first invoked at Erez, a crossing between Israel and Gaza; the order given by the divisional headquarters was simply “Hannibal at Erez”; similar directives were issued five hours later at Gaza Division: “Not a single vehicle can return to Gaza.” A United Nations-backed report said more than a dozen Israeli civilians and soldiers lost their lives to Israeli fire. The IDF has declined to say whether it was used. Yoav Gallant, former Defence Minister, acknowledged in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 that the Hannibal Directive was applied during the October 7, 2023 attacks.<h2>Supernova music festival</h2>The Supernova music festival switched from the original planned location in southern Israel to near Kibbutz Re'im, roughly 4-5 kms from the Gaza border, just two days before the event began. The event was scheduled to conclude on October 6, but the Israeli military allowed it to continue till October 7. Israeli police and the Israeli military concluded that Hamas had no prior information about the festival. Because of the extension, thousands of festival-goers were still dancing at sunrise on October 7 when the initial rocket barrages and paraglider assaults began at around 6:30 am.Approving the Nova music festival to occur so close to a volatile border, negligence in the approval process, not cancelling the party despite dangerous invasion signs on October 6, and failing to send anywhere near sufficient forces to save the partygoers drew internal scrutiny from the media.

Three years after October 7, questions remain over Israel's advance warnings, military response, the Hannibal Directive and security failures at the Nova festival.

Almost three years after the October 7 Al Aqsa flood by Hamas, which killed exactly 1,195 innocent people, including 736 Israeli civilians, 38 children, 380 Israeli security forces and 79 foreign nationals, several questions regarding the details of the attack remain unanswered. Even if we overlook the European settler colonialism, the historical injustice of Nakba, converting Gaza into an open-air prison and the disproportionality of the response following October 7, which was likened to genocide by the UN, there are certain specific questions concerning the Al Aqsa Flood and the Supernova festival that are still baffling. Some of these questions have been blissfully ignored by the Western media but were highlighted courtesy of Israeli media. Did Israel know about October 7? Israel had warning signs about a possible Hamas attack. Extensive investigative reports by Israeli newspaper Haaretz claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was personally warned about a potential Hamas attack, and even his security agencies were also notified repeatedly. In fact, reports suggest that the UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed called Netanyahu roughly a week and a half before the attacks for a 45-minute conversation and warned him that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a major offensive. Former Palestinian Authority official Sufian Abu Zaida stated that on September 14, 2023, Sinwar directly warned about a major offensive by the end of September. According to a NYT report, Israeli Military intelligence had a "Jericho Wall" blueprint for Hamas's multi-point border invasion almost a year ahead of the incident. IDF response time Israel is a small country, similar to states like Nagaland and Manipur in northeastern India. Major regional military reserve and reinforcement hubs such as the Tze'elim training base were positioned roughly 20 to 40 kms from the Gaza border, but it took the IDF roughly 3- 6 hours to respond to the crisis. Reports from Israeli media Hareetz suggest the initial assault started between 06:30– 07:30 am; initial responders were police and individual military personnel; an organised response was started at around 12:00 pm and later. The IDF's own probe found its leadership initially denied they'd been beaten. Police also told the army the area was cleared. There has been no independent enquiry into this. Also Read: Rubio in Greece: West ‘at crossroads’, urges national power, tech dominance Hannibal Directive This is the most contested question that has been mostly overlooked: the long-time secretive directive, later reportedly revoked in 2016 by Gadi Eisenkot. The Hannibal directive allows Israeli soldiers to use potentially massive amounts of force to prevent a soldier from falling into the hands of the enemy. Haaretz reported that the directive was invoked on October 7, while Israeli army commanders struggled to fully grasp the scale of the assault by Hamas. According to documents accessed by Haaretz, it was first invoked at Erez, a crossing between Israel and Gaza; the order given by the divisional headquarters was simply “Hannibal at Erez”; similar directives were issued five hours later at Gaza Division: “Not a single vehicle can return to Gaza.” A United Nations-backed report said more than a dozen Israeli civilians and soldiers lost their lives to Israeli fire. The IDF has declined to say whether it was used. Yoav Gallant, former Defence Minister, acknowledged in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 that the Hannibal Directive was applied during the October 7, 2023 attacks. Supernova music festival The Supernova music festival switched from the original planned location in southern Israel to near Kibbutz Re'im, roughly 4-5 kms from the Gaza border, just two days before the event began. The event was scheduled to conclude on October 6, but the Israeli military allowed it to continue till October 7. Israeli police and the Israeli military concluded that Hamas had no prior information about the festival. Because of the extension, thousands of festival-goers were still dancing at sunrise on October 7 when the initial rocket barrages and paraglider assaults began at around 6:30 am. Approving the Nova music festival to occur so close to a volatile border, negligence in the approval process, not cancelling the party despite dangerous invasion signs on October 6, and failing to send anywhere near sufficient forces to save the partygoers drew internal scrutiny from the media.

Three years after October 7, questions remain over Israel's advance warnings, military response, the Hannibal Directive and security failures at the Nova festival.

October 7 mystery: Warnings, IDF response, Hannibal Directive, Nova festival

Israelis observed a moment of silence on Wednesday to mark three years since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack. A UN inquiry said the assault killed around 1,200 people and saw 252 others taken hostage, marking one of the deadliest days in Israel’s recent history.

Israelis pay tribute to the victims of Hamas attack | Race To Power

As the multi-nation probe into the Flydubai hijacking attempt intensifies, Israel's handling of the situation is now under the lens. It has now emerged that Israel was prepared to shoot down the Flydubai jet despite nearly 166 Israeli passengers being on board.

Israel nearly shot down Flydubai jet with 166 Israeli passengers aboard

After clashing with Settlements Minister Strock over extremist settlers’ West Bank attacks on Palestinian civilians, Zini warns he may reinstate administrative detention for Jewish suspects, reversing previous stance


Shin bet chief clashes with top minister over settler violence in West Bank

Israel’s long-running dispute over mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox men has deepened into a major political and societal fault line, as the country remains embroiled in prolonged wars ahead of the October 27, 2026 election.

Israel: Ultra-orthodox military draft dispute emerges as a fault line

At least nine Israelis from families affected by the October 7 Hamas attack are entering Israel’s upcoming election race, with candidates from across the political spectrum seeking to influence the country’s future and bridge deep political and social divisions.

Israel: 9 families affected by October 7 attack join election race ahead of polls

israel

Israel, News on Israel, stories on Israel, articles on Israel, Israel stories at Wion, Israel news, Israel latest news