Israel's Shin Bet security service has warned that Hamas is preparing to carry out an attack around the timing of the country's upcoming election, according to Il Sole 24 ORE. The Italian business daily reported the warning on Monday, citing the security agency's assessment.
The alert was picked up by several Italian outlets. Sky TG24, ANSA and Adnkronos each reported that the security establishment had flagged Hamas's readiness to strike close to the vote. Il Fatto Quotidiano also carried the warning, noting it came alongside a separate development involving the United Kingdom.
According to Il Fatto Quotidiano, the UK has threatened to expel Israeli diplomats. The report did not elaborate on the circumstances behind that threat in the material available.
The reports frame the Shin Bet warning as a concern that Hamas could time an operation to coincide with the election period, though the summaries do not specify a target, method or date. No further operational details were included in the reporting.
The story is developing and much of the underlying detail remains unconfirmed in the material available. What to watch next: whether Israeli officials publicly confirm the Shin Bet assessment, and how the UK's diplomatic threat develops.
