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Israeli Military Officials Warn of Wide-Scale Threat Similar to Oct. 7 Attacks

Palestinian fighters are seen during the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 (AP)
Palestinian fighters are seen during the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 (AP)
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Israeli Military Officials Warn of Wide-Scale Threat Similar to Oct. 7 Attacks

Palestinian fighters are seen during the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 (AP)
Palestinian fighters are seen during the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 (AP)

Israeli military officials said on Monday that the war in the Gaza Strip has not ended, warning of the threat of a wide-scale raid like the one that occurred on Oct. 7, 2023.

“The Israeli security services are currently operating as if a similar raid is planned against us,” the officials said, adding that measures are being taken to counter it.

The warnings came at a meeting last week for the military security coordinators of the Israeli communities along the Gaza border. The meeting was only revealed on Monday.

The officials stated that the Israeli army is aware of this threat, not only in the south but also along the Israeli border, in the north and in the West Bank and even on the border with Syria and Jordan.

The meeting concluded that the security threat is not limited to Hamas, but involves other groups.

The officials said Israel left Hamas and other militant groups in a weakened position. However, they warned that these factions believe in an ideology that would push them to repeat the Oct. 7 attacks, which they “consider successful despite the high price paid by the people.”

Such warnings were confirmed by sources at the Israeli Army Southern Command, which said the threat of a wide-scale raid like the one that occurred on Oct. 7 exists, but in low probability.

They said Hamas retains the capability to carry out a platoon-level raid.

“Today there are three divisions inside Gaza, and forces deployed in the (Israeli border) communities. The Israeli army is deployed on a much wider scale than it was on Oct. 7 and Hamas was badly beaten all over the Strip,” the sources said.

Amid the security warnings, Israeli political officials spoke of the dangerous operations carried out by Hamas last week in the town of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip.

They said Hamas used tactics to monitor Israeli troop movements and booby-trapping homes and roads, resulting in the killing of 11 soldiers in seven days.

Initial Israeli investigation said Hamas took advantage of stormy weather to plant an explosive alongside a military logistics route in Beit Hanoun. But this explanation was ridiculed.

The Hebrew media said the latest developments in Gaza proved that the Israeli political and military leadership failed to properly conduct a sound strategic policy and adopted military solutions instead of exploring wise alternatives to stop the war.

On Monday, the Israeli military said five of its soldiers were killed in fighting in northern Gaza, while eight others were wounded.

The deaths bring the Israeli military's losses to 408 in the Gaza military campaign since it began a ground offensive against Hamas in the Palestinian territory on October 27, 2023.

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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the Middle East, stating that Moscow “has not and will not withdraw from the region.” He emphasized ongoing communication with Syria’s new leadership and expressed readiness to support the political process in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Lavrov attributed Syria’s deteriorating situation to the previous regime, blaming its unwillingness to implement reforms and share power with the opposition.

“The refusal of the former Syrian regime to make any changes or share power with the opposition was one of the primary reasons for its collapse,” he said.

Lavrov noted that over the past decade, since President Bashar al-Assad requested Russian intervention in the Syrian war and the launch of the Astana peace process, Damascus had delayed advancing the political path.

“Despite support from Arab nations, Syrian authorities showed reluctance to move forward politically and sought to maintain the status quo,” he explained.

He highlighted Russia’s repeated calls for the Syrian government to engage with the Constitutional Committee, established during the 2018 Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, and to actively work on drafting a new constitution.

Lavrov also pointed to economic challenges exacerbated by sanctions, which have stifled Syria’s economy, and US control over oil-rich eastern regions. Resources were exploited to fuel separatist ambitions in northeastern Syria, he remarked.

Moreover, the FM revealed details of Moscow’s earlier discussions with Kurdish groups, reiterating his country’s position that Kurdish rights should be guaranteed within the constitutional frameworks of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Türkiye.

He argued that the previous Syrian regime’s reluctance to engage in political dialogue resulted in stalled reforms proposed by the United Nations, Moscow and Cairo platforms, and Istanbul-based opposition groups. This inaction, he said, created a vacuum that ultimately led to the collapse.

Furthermore, he dismissed claims that his country’s withdrawal from Syria would signal its departure from the Middle East.

“Russia has not and will not leave the region,” he declared. Without directly addressing the status of Russian military bases in Syria, Lavrov emphasized: “Our embassy never left Damascus, and we maintain ongoing communication with the authorities.”

He also stressed Russia’s willingness to facilitate inclusive dialogue involving all national, political and sectarian factions, as well as relevant international stakeholders. Lavrov underscored that recent discussions with Türkiye, Gulf nations, and other parties demonstrated widespread agreement that Russia and Iran must be involved in the Syrian peace process if sustainable results are to be achieved.

For his part, Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East and Africa, reaffirmed Russia’s focus on developments in Syria, describing relations with Damascus as a “priority of Russian foreign policy.”

Reports on Tuesday suggested that Bogdanov might soon lead a Russian delegation to Damascus. However, a Russian diplomatic source informed Asharq Al-Awsat that no date for the visit has been confirmed. The visit, which was reportedly postponed, would mark the first by a senior Russian official to Damascus since the fall of Assad’s regime in December.

Meanwhile, media reports indicated that Moscow is facing logistical challenges in withdrawing military equipment from Syria, due to restrictions imposed by Syrian authorities on the movement of Russian ships in territorial waters.

According to the English-language edition of RT, the Russian ship Sparta 2, designated to transport military equipment and weapons, was denied entry to the Port of Tartus, where Russia maintains its only overseas naval base.