Netanyahu Preparing Major Gaza Offensive Ahead of Elections, Experts Warn

High-ranking Israeli military officials reportedly suspect that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be seeking to escalate the situation in Gaza in the near future, ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections. Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that military leaders believe Netanyahu does not want the ongoing conflict to end and may provoke further escalation in Gaza. Military officials are reportedly concerned that such an escalation could be used to disrupt or delay the election process. These concerns have led to unusually strong warnings from senior officers, with one statement quoted in the report saying, "We will not engage in a new, unnecessary war." This divergence highlights growing tension between Israel's political and military leadership regarding the continuation or expansion of military operations amid a challenging political landscape for Netanyahu before the elections.

The situation is closely linked to recent opinion polls showing that Netanyahu's governing bloc is not securing the parliamentary majority needed to form a government. Israel is scheduled to hold its parliamentary elections on October 27. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza stated on Sunday that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression in the territory has reached 73,420 Palestinians, with 174,369 injured since October 7, 2023. Sources indicate that Gaza hospitals received one fatality and five injured Palestinians within the last 48 hours. Since a ceasefire that began on October 11, 2025, the number of Palestinian fatalities has risen to 1,286, with 4,257 others wounded. An additional 813 bodies have been recovered. Health authorities report that some victims remain trapped under rubble and in the streets, as ambulance and rescue teams continue to face difficulties reaching and evacuating them.

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We will not engage in a new, unnecessary war.