Emergency declared in Israel for next 48 hours

Israel has declared a state of emergency for the next 48 hours amid escalating tensions with Lebanon, according to the Times of Israel.

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Galant has declared the state of emergency. It comes in the form of a “special situation in the home front,” which enables the IDF Home Front Command to issue restrictions.

In emergency situations, the legal term “special status” is used to give authorities greater powers over the civilian population, simplifying efforts to protect them. It is valid for 48 hours, unless extended by cabinet ministers.

As tensions rise, the Israeli public is on high alert and aware of the possibility of further such incidents.

Earlier today, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari warned Lebanese civilians in southern Lebanon of possible strikes by Israel in response to Hezbollah attacks.

In a press conference, an IDF spokesperson said, “We warn Lebanese citizens living in southern Lebanon; we believe Hezbollah is now preparing to fire broadsides into Israeli territory near your homes. You are in danger. We attack and eliminate the Hezbollah threat. Anyone who is near areas where Hezbollah operates needs to immediately move away from them.”

“In the near future, Hezbollah will launch rockets, and possibly missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, toward the territory of the State of Israel. Accordingly, the Home Front Command’s “life-saving” instructions will be distributed to various areas. The Home Front Command will update the areas where one should stay near the protected area or inside the protected area,” Hagari said.

“The IDF has been doing and will continue to do everything possible to protect the citizens of the State of Israel,” he/she said.

Following the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month, which resulted in Iran promising “punishment”, Israel is preparing for tough retaliation.

Although Israel has neither denied nor confirmed that it is responsible for Haniyeh’s death, it had previously threatened to execute him/her and other senior Hamas leaders for their involvement in the terrorist attacks on 7 October.

Tensions have escalated in West Asia after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on July 31 that Ismail Haniyeh had been killed in an attack in the Iranian capital Tehran.