Israeli media reveals growing security concerns amid the recent escalation, with challenges ranging from threats from Jordan, risks in the West Bank, and tensions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, as controversy over a prisoner exchange deal continues.
In light of this tense atmosphere, Channel 13's military affairs correspondent, Or Heller, said that there are fears of operations emanating from Jordan, referring to the ongoing investigations into the security failure that led to the loss of the lives of 3 Israeli security personnel.
In an assessment of the current situation, the head of the Pilots' Union, Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Meydan Bar, stated that the situation should be viewed as a war, stressing the ability of terrorist organizations to manufacture combat equipment in the region. He added that these organizations have battalions and laboratories for manufacturing explosives, and receive dual-use materials, which makes it easier for them to recruit perpetrators of operations.
In the same context, Reserve Colonel Yoni Sibi indicated that refugee camps are considered a starting point for operations, justifying the army's targeting of these camps as a center for events.
On the multiple fronts, Kan Channel 11 military affairs correspondent Itai Blumenthal reported that the security services are focusing on the West Bank and the Jordan Valley as a main front, while operations in the Gaza Strip and fighting on the northern border continue.
In an assessment of military performance, Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Tomer Bruk, commander of Battalion 8149 who was wounded in Jenin, expressed a failure in dealing with the civilian rule of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), pointing to the poor performance to date.
In another development, military affairs correspondent Or Heller warned of escalating tensions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, noting that current behavior, including the performance of Jewish prayers, could ignite a major fire in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and add a new front to the conflict.
On the political front, Channel 12's political affairs correspondent, Yaron Abraham, described the situation as being on the verge of explosion, while the American proposal for a settlement has not yet been presented.
Regarding the prisoner exchange deal, political analyst Amit Segal revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is keen to keep Minister Bezalel Smotrich in the government despite his opposition to the deal. Smotrich himself has confirmed his opposition to the withdrawal from the Netzarim axis, warning of the consequences of that.
In light of these developments, military affairs correspondent Or Heller noted that there is great pessimism in security circles regarding the possibility of concluding a prisoner exchange deal. He revealed a heated debate between the army and Netanyahu regarding how to return the kidnapped soldiers, with Netanyahu insisting on increasing military pressure as the only solution.
Finally, the former coordinator of prisoners and missing persons, reserve colonel Lior Lotan, warned of the danger of the current situation, noting that terrorist organizations do not usually surrender in such circumstances, which increases the complexity of the Israeli security and political scene.
