‘Victory over Iran’ – Israel eases war-time restrictions

Israeli Defense Ministry okays plan to gradually reopen the economy, easing wartime restrictions even as air campaign in Iran continues.

By World Israel News Staff

The Israeli Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday afternoon that it will ease some wartime emergency restrictions imposed since the start of Operation Rising Lion last Friday, as part of a gradual reopening of the economy.

Defense Minister Israel Katz (Likud) approved recommendations drafted by the IDF’s Home Front Command to ease civil defense policies, the IDF spokesperson’s office said.

The decision came after Katz met with a number of senior security officials, including  Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, Commander of the Home Front Command and Amir Baram, Director General of the Defense Ministry.

“Alongside the intensified fighting against Iran to remove the threats — we will reopen the economy, gradually release the public, and return the State of Israel to a path of productivity, activity, and security,” said Katz.

The move suggests Israel’s security establishment believes Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities have been seriously diminished, amid an ongoing effort by the Israel Air Force to strike mobile missile launchers.

Katz said the move to begin reducing wartime restrictions signalled Israel’s “victory” over Iran, despite the continuing air campaign.

“The decision to gradually reopen the economy and various regions is a message of victory over the Iranian enemy.”

“They come to harm and shut us down, and we are both striking them offensively and protecting our population, while also beginning a gradual process of reopening the economy and regions — all subject to security considerations.”

Under the new rules, businesses located near shelters will be allowed to operate.

In addition, limited social gatherings will now be permitted, with up to 30 people allowed to gather at one time in most of the country, while gatherings of up to 50 people will be permitted in parts of the north, Arava, and Eilat area.

Public beaches will remain closed.

The new regulations will go into effect at 6:00 p.m. local time, and remain in effect until Friday at 8:00 p.m.

Home Front chief Milo, however, was more reserved in his comments, emphasizing that the decision to reduce emergency restrictions did not indicate the war “is over.”

“It is important to emphasize: this does not mean the war is over. Citizens must continue to adhere to Home Front Command’s directives. When an alert is sounded, they must take cover — because that truly saves lives, and it allows us to continue attacking and damaging Iran.”

On Tuesday, the IDF claimed it had destroyed roughly 40% of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers since the opening of the war last Friday.

A day later, a military spokesperson said that IDF warplanes destroyed more than 40 “missile-related” sites in western Iran, including missile warehouses.

In addition, Israeli warplanes bombed an Emad missile launcher as it was preparing to fire towards Israel.