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Israel's military has raised its alert level to the maximum and deployed tens of thousands of troops across several areas three days before the October 27 Knesset election, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN.

The preparations cover possible security developments including a missile launch from Iran or Lebanon, even though unnamed military officials cited in the report said there was no specific intelligence pointing to an attack.

Troops deployed across several regions

KAN reported that tens of thousands of soldiers have been sent to the Gaza Strip, the Lebanon border, the occupied West Bank and the area around Jerusalem, among other locations.

Unnamed Israeli military officials said no specific intelligence had been received, but that various measures were being taken against surprise attacks from those areas. According to the military's assessments, the likelihood of an attack is low, yet extensive preparations have been carried out on air defense systems against the possibility of a missile launch from Iran or Lebanon.

West Bank crossings to close on election day

The military said Palestinian workers will not be allowed into Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and the Jordan Valley on October 25 and 26, apart from industrial zones and approved limited areas.

On October 27, the day of the vote, Palestinian workers will be barred from entering Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and the Jordan Valley, including industrial zones, and all land crossing points will be closed.

Multi-front attack drill planned

The army announced it will hold a large-scale exercise in the country's northern and central regions on Sunday and Monday, simulating simultaneous surprise attacks from more than one front. The air force and various military commands and units are to take part.

The drills are meant to raise the level of readiness for multi-front defense and prepare for a move to a state of tension. Scenarios to be assessed include surprise attacks and infiltration into Israel by armed individuals by air and by land, and heavy movement of military units and aircraft is expected.

The military stressed that the exercises were planned in advance and are not being held because of intelligence about a security incident expected to take place in the near future.

Key takeaways

• Israel's military raised its alert level to the maximum before the October 27 Knesset election
• Tens of thousands of troops were deployed to the Gaza Strip, the Lebanon border, the West Bank and Jerusalem
• All land crossings will be closed and Palestinian workers barred from Israeli settlements on election day
• A large-scale multi-front exercise is planned for Sunday and Monday in northern and central Israel