Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened to target Hamas leaders outside the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel’s enemies could launch attacks ahead of the country’s October 27 elections.
Katz’s warning followed an Israeli airstrike that killed Izz al-Din al-Beik, the commander of Hamas’s armed wing in northern Gaza, in an apartment building in Gaza City’s al-Nasr neighbourhood early on Tuesday.
Hamas’s Al-Qassam Brigades confirmed Beik’s death, describing the strike as an assassination. Israeli officials accused him of planning attacks against Israeli forces and recruiting fighters.
In a video broadcast by Israeli media, Katz said Hamas leaders operating overseas remained targets for Israel, signalling that the military campaign against the Palestinian movement could extend beyond Gaza.
The defence minister did not identify specific individuals or countries where Israeli operations might take place.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu issued a separate warning during a visit to the Tel Nof airbase south of Tel Aviv, saying Israeli authorities had received indications of possible attacks ahead of next month’s parliamentary elections.
He did not identify the groups or countries believed to be planning the attacks or provide details of the intelligence behind his warning.
Addressing Israel’s adversaries in a video released by his office, Netanyahu warned against attacking Israel and said its military could reach its enemies regardless of their location.
The remarks come as Netanyahu prepares for the October 27 elections amid continuing regional tensions and Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Earlier this month, the Israeli prime minister described the overthrow of Iran’s government as a principal objective, telling military commanders that removing Tehran’s leadership remained within Israel’s reach.
The latest warnings also come amid continued Israeli strikes in Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect in October 2025.
According to Erem News, Israeli attacks and gunfire killed at least four Palestinians in separate incidents across the territory on Tuesday.
Israel has accused Hamas of rebuilding its military capabilities and violating the ceasefire, while the Palestinian movement has denied those accusations and blamed Israel for undermining the agreement.
