Netanyahu visits air force base ahead of general elections: 'Don't test us'

Israeli military places highest alert, freezes all soldiers' vacations

(Cairo = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Sang-hoon = Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an air force base a week before the election and issued a strong warning message to enemies not to test Israel's security resolve.

“To our enemies, do not test us,” Prime Minister Netanyahu warned in a video released by the Prime Minister’s Office on the 19th (local time), adding, “You will be dealt a much harsher blow than what you have suffered so far.”

He went on to emphasize the readiness and determination of the Israeli Air Force, saying, "We can strike the enemy at any time if necessary."

Prime Minister Netanyahu's remarks at the air force base came just one week before the general election to be held on the 27th.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, whose coalition government is on the verge of collapse ahead of the election, has continued to voice warnings that hostile forces may launch security threats or attacks targeting Israel before the election.

However, the opposition party is countering Prime Minister Netanyahu's warning, saying it has no substance.

Meanwhile, Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir also issued the highest alert for the entire army ahead of the upcoming general election and froze all soldiers' vacations.

At the commander's meeting on this day, General Zamir emphasized, "The military's core mission is to help hold safe and trouble-free democratic elections," and ordered increased deployment of troops to major fronts such as the West Bank and significant strengthening of all-round operational readiness.