Israel's security establishment is sounding the alarm over both external and internal threats, with Hamas reportedly preparing for a renewed offensive in Gaza City and IDF commanders warning of complacency after a string of fatal accidents at the front lines. On the political front, fresh polling shows the coalition and opposition locked in a tight race ahead of elections, while overseas, concerns mount over antisemitic rhetoric following a contentious Green Party vote in Britain and incidents involving political candidates in the United States.

Security

A senior Israeli security official has warned that Hamas views its continued survival against the IDF as a victory in itself, and the group is reportedly preparing for a possible renewed offensive in Gaza City despite Israel controlling roughly 70% of the Strip. Separately, concern is mounting within the IDF over a spate of operational accidents, after three soldiers were killed in safety-related incidents within two weeks in northern Gaza and along the Litani River in Lebanon. Military officials warn that prolonged deployment along defensive lines is breeding complacency and lowering troops' alertness, inviting enemy exploitation. In an unrelated case, police filed an indictment against a West Bank resident and two men from Shfaram after they were filmed holding a stolen IDF Matador missile. Police noted that more than 700 weapons have been seized in northern Israel since the start of the year.

Politics

A new poll shows the coalition and opposition tied at 52 seats each, with the opposition bloc losing a seat after the Democrats dropped one mandate while other opposition parties held steady. Likud was shown gaining ground relative to Gantz-aligned Yashar led by Gadi Eisenkot. A separate survey focusing on first-time voters aged 18-22 found no single party crossing the 10% threshold, with Naftali Bennett, Eisenkot and Itamar Ben Gvir tied at the top, followed by Bezalel Smotrich and Benjamin Netanyahu. Shas failed to clear the electoral threshold among this age group, while a new Haredi party did.

International

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said overnight that only a negotiated agreement could resolve the crisis over the Strait of Hormuz, stating Tehran is still awaiting the United States' final position on its proposal to reopen the strait, which Iran says depends on its conditions being met. This follows comments from President Trump on the matter. In Britain, senior Church of England bishops and eleven diocesan interfaith leaders issued a joint warning about rising antisemitism following a controversial vote at the Green Party conference, calling on political and religious leaders to defend Jewish safety. The controversy also affected Green leadership contender Zack Polanski, who was defeated in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, finishing second amid mounting questions over his leadership. In the United States, Georgia Senate candidate Jon Ossoff said he had no doubt Israeli forces had violated international law in Gaza, though he said any genocide determination was a matter for the International Criminal Court. Separately, a Green Party congressional candidate in Wisconsin, Matthew Arndt, was arrested on suspicion of a hate crime after he was filmed hurling antisemitic abuse at an Israeli man and his young son at a petrol station.

Other Developments

British Airways is set to resume direct flights between Heathrow and Tel Aviv on 25 October after an eight-month suspension, restoring a key travel link for British Jews visiting Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli tourists remain stranded in Dubai after Israeli airlines cancelled planned rescue flights, leaving travellers uncertain how they will return home despite earlier reports of relief efforts.

Sources: Ynet, Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel