Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz warned Gazans that they would pay a “heavy price” if the army was exposed to any attack from Hamas on the eve of the anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7, noting that he had placed the army on high alert “for any possible scenario.” Katz confirmed in a statement that “the instructions were issued in light of intelligence information regarding Hamas’ intentions to attempt to carry out attacks and operations against Israeli forces in Gaza on that day.”