Israeli Army Warns: Explosive Fronts May Extend to the Center

Despite the shuttle diplomacy being conducted by mediators and international efforts to end the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, which has been ongoing for nine months, and to calm the escalation in the entire region, the situation on the ground does not reflect this. The new commander of the Central Region of the Israeli Army, Major General Avi Blot, warned that Israel must prepare for what is to come. During a ceremony transferring duties to him in his new position, succeeding Major General Yehuda Fox, Blot confirmed that military campaigns on multiple fronts threaten to extend to the central region, referring to the escalation in the north with Hezbollah, ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip to the west, and tensions in the West Bank to the east. He emphasized on Monday evening that these campaigns are subject to development and expansion, and Israeli leadership must be prepared for such a scenario. He stated, "The winds coming from the east are ominous; I do not know what the future will bring." He explained that the Israeli army relies on a culture of definitive investigative reports and that leaders should not fear looking directly at the truth. Blot also warned of crimes committed by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank in recent months, describing them as "national crimes under the guise of war and a desire for revenge, which have instilled catastrophe and fear among Palestinian citizens who pose no threat." He noted that what is happening in the West Bank poses a "danger to Israel." These warnings come as the fronts ignite, with Israeli military operations continuing from the north to the south of Gaza, clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon ongoing, and significant tensions also prevailing in the West Bank.