"There is a high probability of an attack": The government will extend the home-front special state
The Ministry of Defense is requesting to extend the declaration of a special state on the home front throughout the country until August 11. Under the proposal, despite the ceasefires and agreements signed, uncertainty still prevails on the Iran and Lebanon fronts. According to the security establishment’s assessment, there is a high probability of an attack on the civilian population.
The Ministry of Defense requested this evening (Saturday) that the declaration of a special state on the home front throughout the country be extended until August 11, subject to approval by the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The validity of the current declaration is expected to expire this coming Tuesday.
The document submitted to the government states that as the extension’s expiration date approaches, the need for further extension will be examined in accordance with the situation assessment.
In the explanatory notes to the proposal for the decision, it is written that despite the ceasefire announced regarding the fighting with Iran and the agreement signed with Lebanon, uncertainty still prevails regarding both fronts. It was also noted that "as of this moment, firing of various intensities is being carried out from Iran towards various countries in the Middle East region."
According to the document, "taking into account the uncertainty regarding the state of affairs on the fronts in Iran and Lebanon — according to the assessment of the security establishment — there is still a high probability that an attack on the civilian population will occur." For this reason, it is proposed to extend the declaration of a special state on the home front throughout the country.
In the Ministry of Defense, they note that as of now there are no active Home Front Command guidelines for the civilian population, but it is possible that there will be a need to renew them. It was further written that as long as the declaration remains in effect, the Home Front Command is granted various powers under the Civil Defense Law, including issuing guidelines to the population, instructions regarding staying in protected spaces, limiting studies, issuing instructions to auxiliary organizations, and other instructions required for the saving of life and property.
According to the document, since there are currently no guidelines in effect, the economic impact of extending the declaration is expected to be negligible. It was also emphasized that if a material change occurs in the security circumstances, it will be possible to cancel the declaration or limit it to areas where it will be necessary.
