The IDF temporarily suspended Thursday leave for all combat units in light of potential escalations following the assassination of Iranian generals in Damascus earlier this week, which elicited threats of retribution.
"In accordance with the situational assessment, it has been decided that leave will be temporarily paused for all IDF combat units. The IDF is at war and the deployment of forces is under continuous assessment according to requirements," the military said in a statement.
On Wednesday, the military disclosed that it had called up reservists to enhance its aerial defense capabilities. Reuters witnesses and Tel Aviv residents reported on Thursday that GPS services had been disrupted, an apparent measure meant to ward off guided missiles.
Iran has pledged to retaliate for the deaths of two of its generals and five military advisors, who were killed during an airstrike targeting an Iranian diplomatic facility in Damascus, Syria, on Monday.
This incident, widely attributed to an Israeli operation, marks one of the most consequential actions against Iranian interests in Syria to date. Israel has maintained a stance of neither confirming nor denying involvement in the strike, a position that underscores the potential for heightened tensions in the region.
