Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an unusual warning during a Tuesday visit to Tel Nof Israeli Air Force base, declaring that there were indications that "our enemies will try to attack us" ahead of the Knesset elections scheduled for Oct. 26. Moments after releasing the ominous video, the premier was spotted surrounded by a heavy security detail at a commercial center in Ashdod.
Video: PM Benjamin Netanyahu during a campaign stop in Ashdod on Sept. 29, 2026 / Credit: Usage under Israeli Intellectual Property Law Article 27a
Standing alongside military personnel and against the backdrop of a fighter jet, he continued, "I am here at the air force base with our heroic pilots and wonderful ground crews. We are operating constantly in all sectors. On Sunday we eliminated the despicable terrorist who kidnapped Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or. We brought them back home; we eliminated him. Overnight we eliminated the Hamas Northern Gaza Strip Brigade commander. He joined his predecessors, whom we also eliminated."
Video: PM Netanyahu's message on Sept. 29, 2026 / Credit: GPO
Netanyahu highlighted recent military successes – stressing the ongoing campaign across multiple fronts – before pivoting to the diplomatic pressures facing Israel. "In total over the past few weeks we eliminated over 100 terrorists, and that is just in Gaza," he said. "Of course we are also operating in Lebanon, you remember what we did to the Ali Taher ridge (a strategic area in southern Lebanon). There are tremendous achievements, but there are also tremendous pressures, and the pressures are to retreat, to give up the great achievements secured through the bravery of our fighters. I am not letting that happen, and I will not let that happen."
Returning to his key warning, he added, "And one more thing: Wwe have signs that ahead of the elections our enemies will try to attack us. So from here, from the Air Force base, from the long arm of the State of Israel, I deliver a message to you. Do not mess with us, not now and not ever, our long arm will reach you anywhere and anytime."
The remarks drew immediate pushback from political rivals. Gadi Eisenkot, the head of the Yashar! candidate list that has been spearheading the anti-Netanyahu bloc, responded, "If Netanyahu's remarks regarding the security threats are true, this requires an immediate update to Opposition Leader Yair Lapid. This is to ensure that it is indeed a real threat and not a political move designed to harm the election campaign. It is absolutely forbidden to mix Israel's security and the election campaign. Not even for the sake of appearances."
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid contacted the Prime Minister's Office demanding an urgent security briefing following Netanyahu's remarks. Lapid asked to understand whether the threats mentioned by the prime minister are indeed real, and if so, how the government was preparing to ensure the elections take place without interference.
The Prime Minister's Office stated that Netanyahu regularly holds security briefing meetings with Lapid and that their last meeting took place on Sept. 14. The Prime Minister's Office also stated that the prime minister instructed his military secretary to brief the opposition leader today regarding the latest developments.
