The Israeli military said Sunday that at least “so far” it has not changed its policy of protecting civilians, as Iran and Hezbollah are expected to retaliate for the killings blamed on Israel of two of its senior members.
“I would like to refer tonight to reports and rumors that we are on alert to confront the enemy's response to the territory of the State of Israel,” military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a briefing to reporters.
“I emphasize that up to now there has been no change in the Frontline Command's defense policy,” he said of the military branch that handles the protection of civilians in times of war and emergencies, including natural disasters.
Hagari and other top Israeli military and government officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly said that Israel is prepared for any attack.
However, Hagari said that Israel's protection is not “airtight.”
“We try to provide the necessary warning to prepare for any threat,” he said.
“This protection is not closed. Therefore, every citizen is required to know what the instructions are, wherever he is and be alert.”
Hagari also announced that the Frontline Command has launched a new system to alert citizens in the event of an emergency.
“The alert will be sent to mobile phones in the threatened area,” he said.
“This is done without the need for an application and without any action from the citizen.”
Concerns that the Gaza war, which has been going on for nearly 10 months, could become a regional conflict emerged after the killing of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr on Tuesday (30/7) in a Beirut suburb and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh the following day in Tehran.
Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, have vowed to avenge the deaths they blame on Israel.
Israel has claimed responsibility for Shukr's murder, but remains silent on Haniyeh's death.
Hezbollah has been in near-daily combat with Israel since the war erupted in Gaza on October 7, following an unprecedented Hamas offensive against Israel. (th/ka)
