JNS
The measure enables the military to quickly decide on safety restrictions as needed.
The Israeli government decided on Sunday afternoon to extend a special emergency situation for the entire country until the end of June, acting amid the ongoing fighting with Iran.
The "Special Situation on the Home Front" resolution, which the Cabinet approved through June 30, authorizes the Israel Defense Forces' Home Front Command to impose restrictions on public gatherings and civilian movement throughout the country.
The declaration does not affect residents directly, but rather enables the military to quickly decide on new restrictions in the light of developing threats.
Schools and many workplaces have been closed, while other public gatherings have been banned, under Home Front Command orders since Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion" early on Friday morning.
At least 11 people were killed overnight Saturday in a wave of Iranian ballistic missile attacks targeting civilian areas across the Jewish state.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday visited the scene of the previous night's deadly Iranian missile attack on Bat Yam, vowing that the Islamic Republic would face severe consequences for its actions.
"We are here because we are in an existential battle, which today is understood by every citizen of Israel. Think about what would happen if Iran had a nuclear weapon to drop on Israeli cities. Think about what would happen if Iran had 20,000 such missiles. Not one—20,000. An existential threat to Israel," the prime minister declared.
"Iran will pay a very heavy price for the deliberate murder of civilians, women and children. We will achieve our objectives and also deal them a powerful blow. They will feel the strength of our arm," he said.
