Israel’s Home Front Command announced a significant tightening of civilian protection measures in northern Israel, with the restrictions set to remain in effect through Monday amid escalating hostilities with Hezbollah.
Under the updated directives, schools will remain closed in frontline communities and in the communities of Meron, Bar Yohai, Or HaGanuz, Safsufa, Yesud HaMa'ala, Kisra-Sumei, Beit Jann, and Sde Eliezer.
Public gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 50 people in open areas and 200 people indoors. Workplaces may continue operating only if employees can reach a designated protected shelter within the required warning time.
In addition, public beaches in the affected areas will be closed.
Nahariya Medical Center - Departments Underground
Israel’s Ministry of Health announced that, due to the heightened security situation, departments at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya will be gradually relocated to an underground protected facility.
The move is intended to ensure continuity of medical services while reducing risks to patients and staff during ongoing rocket and drone attacks.
Restrictions Extended Beyond Frontline Communities
The updated directives also apply to communities outside the immediate confrontation line in the Upper Galilee and northern Golan Heights, including Katzrin and Kidmat Tzvi.
In these areas, educational activities may continue only in facilities that provide immediate access to approved protected spaces.
Following the new restrictions, the Kinneret Cities Association announced the closure of the northern beaches of the lake, including Amnon Bay and Hukok Beach.
The tightening of civilian restrictions comes as the Israel Defense Forces significantly expand military operations in southern Lebanon.
According to military sources, the IDF has launched a long-planned operation involving a crossing of the Litani River and the seizure of territory north of the waterway.
Military officials said preparations for the operation had been underway for approximately a year. Earlier opportunities to cross the Litani were considered but postponed due to operational conditions.
The effort is currently being led by the 36th Division after extensive engineering and combat operations in the area.
Hezbollah Increases Rocket and Drone Attacks
Israeli officials believe the expanded ground operation has contributed to a significant increase in Hezbollah attacks.
On Saturday morning, Hezbollah launched several rockets toward the Mount Meron area in what Israeli officials described as an unusual escalation during the current ceasefire framework.
One rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome air-defense system, while additional launches triggered sirens throughout northern Israel.
A direct impact was reported in the center of Kiryat Shmona. The IDF later announced that it had destroyed the launcher responsible for the attack.
Air-raid sirens were also activated in Nahariya, the Carmiel region, and communities in the Galilee Panhandle.
According to the military, Hezbollah has launched more than 25 rockets and dozens of drones toward Israeli territory and IDF forces since the morning hours.
Objective are Focused on Hezbollah Strongholds
Military sources said the operation north of the Litani is intended to establish control over strategically important terrain long regarded as a Hezbollah stronghold.
Over the past month, Israeli forces reportedly opened routes enabling movement across the Litani River and conducted clearing operations in villages near the border.
Following the capture of areas near A-Taybeh and the destruction of Hezbollah infrastructure north of Metula, Israeli forces advanced deeper into southern Lebanon.
An Israeli military official said troops encountered enemy infrastructure and engaged Hezbollah fighters before establishing engineering crossings over the river.
Officials described the area as a key observation and firing zone that Hezbollah has used for launching and directing attacks against northern Israel.
Lebanese P.M Condemns Israeli Operations
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized the Israeli campaign, describing it as a dangerous and unprecedented escalation.
Salam accused Israel of carrying out widespread destruction and displacement operations and claimed that archaeological and internationally recognized heritage sites had been targeted during the fighting.
He reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to pursuing a ceasefire, securing an Israeli withdrawal, rebuilding damaged areas, and facilitating the return of displaced residents.
“Israel will not achieve security through destruction,” Salam said, while emphasizing that decisions regarding war and peace should remain solely in the hands of the Lebanese state.
The latest developments underscore the growing risk of broader conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to preserve the ceasefire framework.
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