Haaretz: IDF Leaders Fear Netanyahu Could Order A Confrontation with Iran Before Tuesday’s Election

ISRAEL ELECTIONS

Israeli media report a dispute between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and military chief Eyal Zamir over an unspecified operation that could trigger a confrontation with Iran. Netanyahu denies a clash.

By Yiannis Damellos and Mars Strangelove Jr.

October 25, 2026

Israel’s military leadership is reportedly concerned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could order military action involving Iran shortly before Israel’s parliamentary election on Tuesday, October 27. Haaretz, reporting by Amos Harel, says senior military figures disagree with Netanyahu over the urgency of an offensive. The report comes amid heightened tensions between the prime minister and the Israel Defense Forces’ chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. 

According to Channel 12, as reported by The Times of Israel, Zamir has resisted an instruction to carry out an unspecified military operation. The report says the army chief sought further deliberations and signed documentation confirming the legal authorization for the action. Military sources cited by the broadcaster reportedly warned that the operation could lead to a rapid confrontation with Iran and a dangerous miscalculation before the election.

The reported disagreement comes as Netanyahu has intensified his public warnings about Iran. On Sunday, he said Israel was prepared to respond on both defensive and offensive fronts and warned Tehran against testing Israel. He also claimed that Iran or its proxies could attempt to disrupt the election, without publicly detailing the intelligence behind the warning. 

Netanyahu denied that he was involved in a confrontation with Zamir, calling the report “nonsense” in an interview with Channel 14. He said Israel was preparing for potential Iranian interference in the election. The prime minister has previously denied allegations that he intends to restart a war with Iran for electoral advantage or to delay voting.