Netanyahu warns of overwhelming force against potential Hamas attacks ahead of elections
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning this Tuesday, asserting that any attempt by Hamas to carry out hostile actions before the upcoming October 27 elections will be met with overwhelming force. During the Cabinet meeting, the leader noted that the Islamist group could seek to influence the election results through military provocations.
Precisely because Hamas is so weak, it will try to challenge us with what strength it has left ahead of the elections, to try to influence them.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
Status of military operations and casualty figures
In his speech, Netanyahu provided an assessment of the fight against the armed group. According to estimates presented by the Israeli government, nearly 6,000 militants participated in the attacks that occurred three years ago, which left a tragic toll of 1,200 people dead. The prime minister detailed the progress of his forces in the region:
- Israel has managed to eliminate 4,000 of the 6,000 militants involved in the original attacks.
- Approximately 2,000 Hamas fighters remain alive, being the primary target of current operations.
- The strategic goal of the Israeli government remains the total overthrow of the Hamas regime in Gaza, under the premise of achieving absolute victory in the conflict.
The political landscape ahead of the upcoming elections
These statements are framed within a period of high political tension in Israel. Recent polls show a highly competitive electoral scenario where the formation of a government majority presents itself as a complex challenge.
According to projections, the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot would reach 54 seats, while Netanyahu’s coalition would stand at 49. Despite the numbers, political fragmentation and the refusal of certain sectors to form alliances with Arab parties—which hold 13 seats—make it difficult for either side to reach, on its own, the 61 seats necessary to secure a majority in the Knesset.
Netanyahu’s stance underscores the Israeli state’s determination to maintain national security as the central axis of its campaign, as it prepares to respond forcefully to any escalation in the Gaza Strip during the weeks leading up to election day.
