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Amidst the ongoing fierce geopolitical conflict and ever-increasing tension in West Asia, Israel has declared ‘highest alert’ across the country on the third anniversary of the deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Three years ago, on this day, Hamas fighters entered the southern areas of Israel from the Gaza Strip and carried out one of the largest and most feared terrorist attacks in history. Now, in view of specific inputs from intelligence agencies and threats by Iran and its allies to launch major retaliatory attacks on the symbolic date, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Mossad, Shin Bet and internal police apparatus have been deployed on a round-the-clock war footing. From Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa to Gaza and the areas adjacent to the Lebanon border, security forces have tightened security from ground to sky.
Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) and military commanders believe the sensitive date could be used by Tehran and its proxy network—dubbed the ‘Axis of Resistance’—to seek symbolic revenge and gain a psychological edge.
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Ballistic Missile and Drone Threats: Following direct missile confrontations between Iran and Israel in recent months, there are fears that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) could target Israeli military targets with ballistic missiles and long-range suicide drones.
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Hezbollah front from Lebanon: Hezbollah’s remaining fighters on the northern border may launch dense barrages of rockets at border settlements and military posts.
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Houthi rebels and Iraqi militias: Yemen’s Houthi rebels may fire cruise missiles at the Red Sea and Israel’s southern port city of Eilat, while Iraq-based Shia militia groups have also received input for drone strikes.
To neutralize possible missile and air attacks, Israel has activated its Multi-Tier Air Defense System in full combat mode:
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Iron Dome: All batteries have been put on alert mode to intercept short-range rockets and mortar attacks fired from Gaza and Lebanon.
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David’s Sling: Deployed to intercept medium-range heavy missiles and heavy guided rockets.
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Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 (Arrow Defense System): The Arrow system has been put on high alert to intercept long-range Iranian ballistic missiles coming from outside the atmosphere. Along with this, radar and missile interceptor ships of the US Navy and regional allies are also standing ready to deal with any emergency in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.
The IDF has deployed additional infantry brigades and armored divisions to areas along the Gaza border and Lebanon’s Blue Line. Israel’s Home Front Command has issued detailed guidelines for citizens:
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Tight security and limited number rules have been imposed on public gatherings and October 7 commemoration events in major cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem.
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Citizens have been instructed to keep the emergency siren alert app active on their mobile phones and reach the nearest ‘bomb shelter’ (safe bunker) within 90 seconds as soon as the siren sounds.
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In the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), vehicles are being searched intensively at checkpoints to prevent possible terrorist acts and lone-wolf attacks.
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Along with this, the Israeli government has also issued a global security advisory for its citizens and the Jewish community living abroad, in which they have been asked to avoid speaking Hebrew language in crowded places and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the local police.
Today, three years have passed since the incident of 7 October 2023. More than 1,200 Israeli civilians were killed in the attack that day and more than 250 were taken hostage to Gaza. The war that started after this engulfed the entire West Asia, in which there was massive destruction in Gaza and the conflict spread to Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given a clear message that Israel will not compromise on its security until all the hostages are returned and the military backbone of Hamas and other terrorist networks is completely broken. Despite diplomatic efforts around the world, maintaining peace in the Middle East remains a complex challenge, and on today’s third anniversary, any unexpected military confrontation between the two sides risks igniting a major war in the region.