Israel was preparing to delay election for Gaza military campaign

Israel's National Security Advisor met with the head of the Central Elections Committee ahead of Tuesday's general election to discuss the possibility of a postponement due to a military operation on Gaza.

Meir Ben-Shabbat went to the election board chief, Justice Hanan Melcer, at the behest of Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit, who allegedly halted a planned military operation on the besieged Gaza Strip earlier this week.

Mendelblit warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his plans for an operation would require the approval of the security cabinet. 

The news of the meeting was broken by Israeli newspaper Haaretz on the morning of Israel's second general election this year. 

Israeli citizens began casting their ballots early Tuesday morning in an election that will decide whether to extend Prime Minister Netanyahu's term as the country's longest-serving prime minister, despite corruption allegations against him.

The newspaper reported that Netanyahu, after scurrying away from an election rally last week due to rockets fired from Gaza, consulted senior defence officials about a possible military escalation.

Mendelblit, who was brought into the discussions in the days following, warned the premier that he is legally required to consult the security cabinet in any decisions that could lead to war. 

Mendelblit sent Ben-Shabbat to update the election board chief about a possible escalation and therefore a possible postponement to Tuesday's elections.

The Israeli army conducted a minor raid on Wednesday, hitting several Hamas targets in Gaza without causing any casualties.

Last week, Netanyahu announced his intention to annex a large part of the occupied West Bank if re-elected.

Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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