Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has announced a 48-hour nationwide state of emergency, effective from 06:00 am (0300 GMT) on Sunday, August 25, 2024. This measure comes in response to the Israeli military’s pre-emptive strikes in Lebanon.
- State of Emergency Announcement:Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared the nationwide state of emergency to enable the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to implement measures such as limiting public gatherings and closing specific sites as needed.Gallant stated that the declaration aims to address concerns about a potential attack on civilian areas, particularly in regions where previous local emergency measures were not in place.
- Military Actions:The state of emergency follows the IDF’s pre-emptive strikes in Lebanon, which the military described as necessary to counter an imminent threat to Israeli citizens.In a briefing to US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, Gallant explained that the strikes were conducted to neutralize the threat and emphasized Israel’s commitment to using all available means to protect its population.
- Diplomatic Communication:The Defence Ministry’s statement revealed that Gallant and Austin discussed the situation’s developments and the importance of avoiding further regional escalation. The focus remains on defending Israeli citizens while managing the broader geopolitical impact.
This emergency declaration underscores the heightened tensions and security concerns following the recent military actions, with the Israeli government taking steps to ensure public safety and mitigate potential threats.
