Is Israel Gearing Up For Another Offensive?

A meeting with the U.S. Secretary of War, the cancellation of military leave and the arrest of draft dodgers might point to Israel preparing for another offensive against Iran.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers’ military leaves are being canceled, and a group of ultra-orthodox Jewish men were arrested for evading the draft. Additionally, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth quietly met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) referred the Daily Caller News Foundation to the Department of War which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Israeli government also did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.

In preparation for Israel’s upcoming Oct. 27 election, the IDF was put on a high alert and the leaves of service members were frozen, the Times of Israel reported.

The IDF is “on the highest state of alert and will continue to maintain a high level of vigilance and readiness across all fronts” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told the outlet. Leave was frozen across IDF units with soldiers being required to remain on base rather than taking planned leave, “subject to ongoing situational assessments.”

At least 40 ultra-orthodox Jews were arrested by IDF military police at the Ben Gurion Airport returning to Israel from America for attempting to evade the IDF draft on Tuesday.