High Alert In The Defense Establishment,

Hamas warns of escalation if the flag parade in Jerusalem kicks off - and the defense establishment is on alert Fatah calls for a day of rage in Jerusalem, the balloon unit in Gaza announced the resumption of operations tomorrow morning

The first test of the Bennett-Lapid government: In the shadow of Hamas' threats of escalation, Minister of Internal Security Amar Bar-Lev approved last night (Monday) the flag parade in Jerusalem tomorrow after assessing the situation with the participation of security officials. At the same time, the defense establishment is raising its alert and the IDF will increase the deployment of Iron Dome batteries in the south. Defense Minister Bnei Gantz has approved a series of targets for an attack in the Gaza Strip. To "protect the al-Aqsa Mosque" and bring about the cancellation of the parade.

Minister Bar-Lev approved the march after a situation assessment he convened with the participation of Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, the IDF, the Shin Bet and the National Security Council. At the meeting, the minister was presented with the operational plans for the flag parade in Jerusalem tomorrow, and at the end he said: "I was under the impression that the police are well prepared and that a great effort has been made to maintain the delicate fabric of life and public safety."

The defense establishment is preparing for a scenario of escalation that will slide into Jerusalem and throughout Judea and Samaria, as well as the possibility of resuming firing to the south. Last week, security officials warned that holding the parade could re-ignite the area, amid Hamas threats not to allow "harm to al-Aqsa." As part of preparations for the resumption of firing, Defense Minister Ganz approved a bank of hundreds of new targets collected after the recent operation in Gaza. In addition, several levels of response have been approved in case Israel is dragged into a renewed conflict.

Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi yesterday referred to Hamas threats and tensions in the Palestinian arena at the end of an operational learning forum to summarize Operation Guardian of the Walls. "The situation in the Palestinian arena is explosive and we are preparing for the resumption of hostilities. What would be". During the forum, the commanders were updated on the operational and intelligence situation, the lessons learned after the operation and the IDF's readiness for the possibility of further escalation in the Gaza Strip in the near future.

In an attempt to prevent the march from taking place, Hamas sent threatening messages to Israel through visible and covert channels. The terrorist organization used belligerent terminology and warned of "an explosive that will cause a new campaign." According to Arab publications, Hamas also conveyed messages below the surface through Egyptian intelligence to Israel in this language: "If the route is not changed - a response may arrive as in the previous time."

Various sources told the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar that the Palestinian resistance "increased its readiness to return to the conflict," and that instructions were even given to the missile units to "prepare to launch rockets at major Israeli cities." It was also reported that Hamas informed the Egyptian intelligence chief that "the response will not be different from last month's response" - then rockets were fired at Jerusalem - which led to the launch of Operation Wall Guard.


 Hamas, Fatah and nationalist and Islamic factions have declared a day of rage in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, calling on the masses to fortify themselves in al-Aqsa and confront security forces. An attempt was made to harness Israeli Arabs to fight and to take buses from Umm al-Fahm to the capital.

The flag parade will begin today on Haneviim Street in the capital and will continue through Sultan Suleiman Street to the Nablus Gate - where a mass dance with Israeli flags will take place. From the Nablus Gate, the marchers will continue to the IDF Square through the Jaffa Gate and enter the Western Wall, some through the Muslim Quarter and the rest through the Jewish Quarter - for security reasons and to prevent overcrowding. The marchers will be secured along the entire route.


The Jerusalem District Commander presented the Commissioner of Police and the Minister of Internal Security with the approved outline of the parade and security plans. Attention today. "

MK Itamar Ben Gvir (Religious Zionism) called on the new prime minister, Naftali Bennett, not to allow Hamas to threaten Israel: "The time has come for Israel to threaten Hamas and not for Hamas to threaten Israel. The audacity of Hamas terrorists to repeatedly threaten Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem is the result of a failed commissioner who surrendered to terrorism. "

Ben Gvir added: "I expect the elected prime minister, Naftali Bennett, who has more than once participated in the flag dances, to stand firm despite the fact that he has folded from all his ideology. We hope that at least a flag parade in Jerusalem still remains legitimate in his eyes."