Amid continuing security tensions across the Middle East, Israel’s security establishment is preparing for potentially turbulent months on multiple fronts as the Knesset elections and US midterm elections approach.
Israeli news site Walla reported that the level of alert across the security establishment, particularly within the Israeli military, is expected to rise as the 27 October 2026 Knesset election draws closer, with preparations set to intensify further ahead of the US midterm elections on 3 November. Both election dates are confirmed by official Israeli and US sources.
According to Walla, the preparations are taking place amid regional tensions, particularly Israel’s confrontation with Iran and the Houthis.
Israeli Military Examines “Extreme Scenarios”
Walla said one of the Israeli security establishment’s principal concerns is the possibility of a broad escalation that it believes Iran could seek to initiate as a means of escaping tightening sanctions and pressure. The assessment was presented by Walla as an Israeli security scenario rather than an established Iranian plan.
Against this backdrop, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered a series of measures, including raising readiness levels, conducting exercises for command structures, inspecting and reviewing sensitive systems, and strengthening coordination between different branches of the Israeli military and security agencies, particularly Mossad and Shin Bet.
Coordination is also being strengthened with the US military, particularly US Central Command, as well as with the US Department of Defense and foreign militaries operating in the region.
Walla reported that the Israeli military has raised its alert level regarding both Iran and the Houthis and is examining what it described as “extreme scenarios” across the region. Follow-up meetings have also been scheduled to assess developments across different theatres.
One such scenario discussed by Walla envisages the UAE and Saudi Arabia potentially becoming targets of an Iranian attack. The report said the UAE receives various forms of Israeli assistance, including support involving active defence and early-warning systems, while Saudi Arabia receives intelligence concerning Houthi movements under US leadership. These remain scenarios and claims presented in the Israeli report, not confirmed plans by Tehran.
Reports of Secret Iran-UAE Talks
Walla also pointed to what it described as several factors operating in the background, including bank accounts held in the UAE by senior Iranian officials, reports of secret economic discussions between Tehran and Abu Dhabi, and Iranian threats of attack.
According to the Israeli assessment cited by the site, the UAE is concerned about two main scenarios: a US-Iran agreement that does not take Emirati interests into account, or a significant reduction in US forces in the region that Abu Dhabi fears could create a security vacuum benefiting Iran.
Walla also said highly sensitive discussions are taking place between Israel and the UAE amid reports concerning a purported warning delivered by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before 7 October 2023.
According to the report, claims have emerged that bin Zayed directly warned Netanyahu approximately a week and a half before the 7 October attack. Netanyahu’s office has denied that such a warning was received, while Abu Dhabi has not publicly confirmed the alleged warning. Walla reported that the UAE Foreign Ministry declined to address the substance of the claims directly but said the UAE maintains open communication channels with Israel and shares relevant intelligence.
The reports have renewed questions inside Israel over what warnings were received before 7 October, who was aware of them and at what stage.
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive moment ahead of the Knesset election. Recent Israeli polling has shown former military chief Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar party competing closely with Netanyahu and Likud, with several September surveys placing Yashar ahead of Likud and Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu in direct prime minister preference polling.
