Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, announced a 48-hour nationwide state of emergency starting at 06:00 am (0300 GMT) on Sunday, following pre-emptive military strikes launched by Israel in Lebanon.
Gallant stated that the emergency declaration allows the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to implement specific directives for the public, such as restricting gatherings and closing certain sites.
“I am convinced that there is a high probability of an attack against the civilian population in areas of the country where the declaration of a special situation did not apply,” he said, referring to previous local emergency measures.
“I hereby declare a special situation on the home front in other areas of the country. The situation is valid for 48 hours starting at 6:00 am,” Gallant stated.
Additionally, Gallant briefed U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the situation, according to a separate statement from the defense ministry.
Gallant informed Austin that the Israeli strikes in Lebanon were aimed at preventing an imminent threat to Israeli citizens.
“We have conducted precise strikes in Lebanon in order to thwart an imminent threat against the citizens of Israel.
“We are closely following developments in Beirut, and we are determined to use all the means at our disposal in order to defend our citizens,” Gallant told Austin, according to the statement.
The statement also highlighted that Gallant and Austin discussed the critical need to prevent further escalation in the region.
