Israel Extends Civilian Emergency as Security Officials Warn of Escalation

The government approved on Monday, by telephone vote, an extension of the special emergency status on the home front until June 30. The decision followed the defense establishment’s assessment that the threat to Israeli civilians has not been removed and that there is still a real possibility of further escalation.

The proposal was submitted to ministers by Defense Minister Israel Katz. In the explanatory note, officials said the security situation and concern for harm to Israelis, after months of clashes with Iran and its regional proxies, make the extension necessary. The document said the defense establishment still sees a high likelihood of an attack on the civilian home front.

Shortly after the vote, the IDF said it had updated Home Front Command defense policy. The new rules remove the restriction on gatherings of up to 5,000 people across the country, while areas near the confrontation line will continue limited activity without changes to their instructions.

The material sent to cabinet members said February developments in the Iranian arena, including missile fire at Israel, attempts to strike civilian infrastructure, and continued threats from Tehran, still endanger the Israeli home front. It added that despite diplomatic developments and international efforts to calm the situation, there is significant uncertainty over what Iran and other regional actors will do next.

A senior security source told Walla earlier that the defense establishment is waiting for clarification from the political leadership on the implications of the agreement and unresolved issues. He said, “The issue of opening the Strait of Hormuz is less interesting to Israel, and the focus is the nuclear project.” He also said it remains unclear what will happen to Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, and noted that ballistic missiles are not being discussed at all. On Lebanon, the source said Israel is not currently being asked to withdraw from the areas where forces are operating, that “the IDF continues to defend the yellow line,” and that questions remain about self-defense and the identification and removal of immediate threats there. He added that the army still has tasks in southern Lebanon north of the current yellow line, after the IDF on Saturday exposed tunnel finds under the Beaufort Ridge that it said were planned and funded by Iran.