The Israeli Army on Sunday affirmed it had not changed “as of now” its policy for protecting civilians, as Iran and its allies are expected to avenge the assassinations of two senior figures, AFP reported.
“I emphasize that as of now there is no change in the Home Front Command's defense policy,” Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in an online briefing to journalists on Sunday.
The Home Front Command is a branch of the army that deals with the protection of civilians in times of war and emergency, including natural disasters.
Hagari and other top Israeli military and government officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly said the country is prepared for any attack.
But Hagari said that Israel's protection is not “hermetic.”
“Therefore,” he added, “Every citizen is required to know what the instructions are, wherever he is and to be vigilant.”
Hagari also announced that the Home Front Command has launched a new system to alert citizens in the event of any emergency.
“The alert will be sent to mobile phones in the area under threat,” he said.
“This is done without the need for an application and without any action on the part of the citizen.”
Middle East tensions have soared as Iran and Hamas, together with Hezbollah, vowed strong retaliation to the killings Tuesday of Hezbollah top commander Fuad Shukr in a Beirut suburb and Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh the following day in Tehran.
