Israel Reimposes Emergency Rule: Government and Defense Ministry Transition to Heightened Control Over the Country’s Situation
Since Sunday, November 26, at 03:45 AM local time, new, highly restrictive rules have been implemented across the country regarding the operation of all institutions and services, except for essential sectors. These measures are a response to the worsening security situation, which has caused serious concern at the government level. According to the Israel Defense Forces Central Command’s Operational Center, this initiative was authorized by Israel’s Defense Minister Isaac Khatz the night before, on Sunday. A high-ranking official from the Defense Ministry reported that the decision was made after a thorough assessment of the current security situation amid a sharp escalation of regional tensions. The focus is on imposing radical restrictions on ordinary citizens’ lives to reduce factors that could contribute to the escalation of the conflict. Official information states that since this decree came into effect, all regions of the country have fallen under a "vital services" operation regime. This means that parents, students, employees of educational institutions, as well as workers in entertainment and commercial sectors, must plan their activities according to the new requirements. Exceptions are made only for sectors that ensure the vital functioning of the population: grocery stores, hospitals, emergency services, the National Health Service, security and defense services. A similar regime is recommended for transportation and public catering—they operate only for critical needs. Gatherings in public places are prohibited, conferences, mass events, and educational activities have been suspended. This is another step to limit human contact, aimed at stabilizing the security situation. The Deputy Defense Minister added that further steps depend on the development of circumstances on the ground: "We are actively monitoring the situation and making prompt decisions to maximize protection for citizens and reduce risks to national security. Our current priority is stabilization and preventing any escalation of the conflict." Overall, the introduction of these emergency restrictions elicits mixed feelings among the population — from understanding the necessity of actions to ensure safety, to concerns about disruptions to daily life. Authorities urge citizens to adhere to the new rules, stay cautious, and inform their children about the importance of quarantine measures in this difficult situation. It is expected that these measures will remain in place until the security situation stabilizes and a return to normal regime is announced.