Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israel Defense Forces to conduct a massive strike on Iran days before the Israeli elections.

Posted by REAL AF with Andy Frisella, Oct 28, 2026Checked Nov 2, 2026

Polygraph verdictMixed

Sources: 4 contradict3 support1 context
Said: 1 time·
Confidence: 60%

REAL AF with Andy FrisellaOct 28, 2026

Several sources report that Netanyahu sought or tried to order the IDF to prepare or carry out a strike on Iran days before the vote, and that Chief of Staff Zamir resisted, but Netanyahu's office and Defense Minister Katz denied any such intent.

The guest relays this claim without endorsing it. It counts as passed on, not against the post.

What was said

… Yeah, to get in, like, not for B, not for B. A lot of people are not happy right now with them. Um, now, one one interesting thing, and I tried to look into it and see, but there was this conversation that B had basically ordered the IDF to do this massive strike on Iran, ah, just days before their elections. Um, and then it came out that the IDF chief said no. Right now, I don't know if this was, like, a strict order from B to do it, or if it was just talks or conversations. Um, B wanted the strikes. The IDF did not do any strikes. …

REAL AF with Andy Frisella · Oct 28, 2026· from the transcriptPost →

What we found

Contradicts. Netanyahu's office called the report 'fake news,' and Defense Minister Katz said there was 'no intention by Israel of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections,' calling reports of rifts 'completely baseless and false.'[1]

Contradicts. The Jerusalem Post disputed the Financial Times account, reporting that Netanyahu had not ordered the IDF to prepare an attack and that no such operation was imminent.[3]

Contradicts. Later reporting says the action Netanyahu pushed for was a separate step short of an overt strike, which does not match the 'massive strike' wording of the claim.[4][5]

Supports. Axios, the Seattle Times, and the NYT (via NDTV) report, citing Israeli officials, that Netanyahu tried for weeks to orchestrate a new airstrike on Iran before the election and pressed for action in the days before the vote.[4][5][6]

Supports. Channel 12 reports, as carried by Times of Israel and Reuters-linked coverage, that Zamir resisted carrying out a military action ordered by Netanyahu relating to Iran just before the election and sought signed authorization.[2][7]

Context. Netanyahu publicly said he had instructed the Mossad and IDF to bring down the Iranian regime, which is a different directive from a strike order on a specific date.[2][8]

Sources

8 sources: 2 fact-checkers, 6 not rated

1Netanyahu denies Iran escalation reports as Israel's election nearsapnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: contradicts
2Netanyahu touts Trump endorsement on eve of vote, suggests they may restart war on Iranreuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports, context
3Reports Conflict on Netanyahu's Iran Strike Plansyahoo.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts
4Netanyahu pushed for attack on Iran ahead of Israeli election ...seattletimes.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts, supports
5Netanyahu Pushed For Attack On Iran Ahead Of Israeli ...ndtv.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts, supports
6Netanyahu Sought to Order Preparations for Strikes on Iran Days Before Electionsglobalsecurity.org · not rated · cited for: supports
7Report: In 'unprecedented confrontation,' IDF chief resisting ...timesofisrael.com · not rated · cited for: supports
8Israel Election 2026 | Eisenkot Warns Netanyahu 'Will Stop ...haaretz.com · not rated · cited for: context

Where this claim was made

Said in 1 published post

REAL AF with Andy Frisella · Oct 28, 2026Post →

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