Israel has declared a two-days state of emergency due to escalating tensions with Lebanon, according to The Times of Israel. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced the emergency, invoking a “special situation in the home front,” which grants the IDF Home Front Command enhanced authority to impose restrictions aimed at protecting civilians. This emergency status is initially set for 48 hours but may be extended by the cabinet if necessary.
The heightened alert follows warnings from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) regarding potential retaliation against Hezbollah. IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari issued a stark warning to Lebanese citizens in southern Lebanon, advising them to avoid areas associated with Hezbollah. Hagari indicated that Hezbollah is preparing to launch rockets and possibly missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles into Israeli territory. He emphasized that those near Hezbollah’s operations should follow “life-saving” instructions from the Home Front Command, which will provide updates on safety measures.
The current situation is part of broader regional tensions that have intensified following the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on July 31 that Haniyeh was killed in an attack in the Iranian capital. This event has led to promises of “punishment” from Iran and heightened regional unrest. Although Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement in Haniyeh’s death, the country had previously threatened to target Haniyeh and other senior Hamas figures in response to the October 7 terrorist attacks.
As tensions continue to rise, the Israeli public is on high alert, preparing for potential further incidents. The situation underscores the volatile nature of regional conflicts and the ongoing challenges in managing security and civilian safety in such an environment.
