- This story is breaking, more to follow
Israel today closed all school and cancelled school trips and other youth activities planned for the coming days, the beginning of the Passover festival, and placed the armed forces on full alert due to a possible attack by Iran.
Announcing the measures in a televised briefing, chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said dozens of combat planes were airborne as part of the state of readiness.
Starting from 11pm tonight, the strict measures, which include the ban of all ‘educational activities’ across the country, the restriction of working in offices without ‘standard protected spaces’ and limits on the number of people at gatherings’, will be implemented.
Educational activities have been banned across the country, while restrictions on working have been put in place on areas directly next to the Gaza Strip, and other areas in the Gaza Envelope.
Hagari said in the televised address that the directive will be reassessed at 6am local time, and urged Israelis to remain vigilant and to head to bomb shelters if they hear warnings.
Israeli schools have been shut down in response to threats made by Iran
‘We are taking all steps possible to ensure your safety.
‘Since the start of the war, we have faced a variety of threats sent here by Iran’s proxies and adapted our defense and attack systems accordingly,’ Hagari said, adding that the IDF was ‘fully prepared’ for Iranian attacks.
‘The air force’s defense and attack formations are on alert and dozens of planes are in the sky. We are conducting a situational assessment with our strategic partners, led by the USA, and we are maintaining close coordination with them,’ he added.
More to follow.