JNS
The IDF spokesperson warned of the possibility of further Hezbollah rocket launches from Lebanon towards the middle of the country.
The Israel Defense Forces' Home Front Command tightened defensive restrictions for many parts of the country following Tuesday's rocket attack from Lebanon at central Israel, which Hezbollah took responsibility for.
The updated guidelines limiting activities and gatherings specifically apply to Carmel, Wadi Ara, Menashe, Samaria, Sharon, Dan, Yarkon, Shfela, Jerusalem and Judean Shfela.
In accordance with the new guidelines, educational and work activities are restricted to buildings or places where there is access to a proper protective space. Also, gatherings and services are limited to 30 people in open spaces and up to 300 people indoors.
Tuesday night's "Selichot" prayer event at the Western Wall in Jerusalem was canceled due to the new restrictions. The event leading up to the High Holidays generally draws upwards of 50,000 worshippers.
Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari in a press statement warned that "there may be additional launches toward the center."
The changes are effective immediately and last until Saturday at 8 p.m.
There are no changes to the guidelines for the rest of the country.
“Continue to follow the instructions published by the Home Front Command through official distribution channels,” the IDF said. “The full guidelines are updated on the National Emergency Portal and the Home Front Command app.”
The attack to the center of Israel comes after early Tuesday the IDF announced the start of limited ground operations against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon.
"We can now reveal that, thanks to intelligence gathered over many years, in recent months we have carried out dozens of ground operations in Lebanon aimed at neutralizing and destroying Hezbollah's capabilities in villages and areas near the border," Hagari said.
"IDF soldiers, led by special units, have crossed the border dozens of times, entering Hezbollah's combat zones, gathering intelligence and destroying terrorist infrastructure," he said.
