Israel Katz asks to extend Israel's state of emergency until 3 November

Israel Katz, Israel's defense minister, has asked to extend the special state of emergency on the country's home front until 3 November 2026. Yossi Fuchs, the Israeli cabinet secretary, sent the proposal to ministers for an immediate telephone vote on Thursday, 15 October. The current state of emergency ends on 20 October, and with the extension it will remain in force on the day of the Knesset election on 27 October.

The security document attached to the proposal says that, according to the assessment of security officials, the likelihood of an attack on Israel's civilian population remains high, and that uncertainty continues over the situation involving the Islamic Republic and Lebanon. The extension must also be approved by the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Home Front Command powers

The extension brings no new restrictions, and there are currently no restrictions on schools or gatherings, but Israel's Home Front Command retains its authority to restrict schools and public gatherings if the security situation worsens. According to the document, the need for a further extension will be examined before the new deadline, based on a fresh security assessment.

Maor Yamin-Bartal, legal adviser to Israel's Defense Ministry, said there is no legal obstacle to approving the proposal, but warned that successive extensions since March 2026 could create legal problems; at the same time, he stressed the urgency and necessity of the step.

Warnings from Netanyahu and Katz

Katz first declared this state of emergency on 28 February 2026, the day Israel began its military operation against the Islamic Republic, code-named "Roaring Lion", and it has been extended several times since; most recently, on 6 October, the Israeli government approved its continuation until 20 October.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, warned on 14 October that the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces might attack Israel in the coming days, before the 27 October election. He had earlier said that a US or Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic before the election is not in Israel's interest and does not consider the fall of the Islamic Republic before the election realistic. Katz has also warned that if Hezbollah joins a possible attack by the Islamic Republic, the Israeli army will seize more of southern Lebanon.

Israel is extending the state of emergency until after the 27 October election; the security assessment considers an attack by the Islamic Republic likely.