Israel's Defense Minister says Country in State of 'High Defense Readiness'

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said on Thursday that Israel is on "high defense readiness" in a video shared by the ministry.

“There is a psychological attempt by the enemy to sow fear, to tell stories, to intimidate," said Gallant during a visit to the Home Front Command in central Israel.

He added that there is a need to answer questions and concerns by the public to maintain trust.

Regional tensions have soared since Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed July 31 in Iran by a presumed Israeli strike and the killing of Hezbollah's top military commander Fouad Shakur in Beirut.

World leaders have been pushing for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet over the weekend that Israel is already for a “multi-front war” with Iran and its proxies.

Gaza faces a severe humanitarian crisis with Israeli restrictions on aid and ongoing fighting limiting access to crucial medical, food and other supplies.

The Health Ministry in Gaza says the death toll in the territory is nearing 40,000.