Israel's Health Ministry Issues Urgent High-Pollution Alert for These Areas
Israel faces high pollution from North African dust particles. Air quality expected to improve by afternoon, though high levels persist in Eilat and Arava.
Israel's Environmental Protection Ministry and Health Ministry warned Sunday that high to very high air pollution levels continue across much of the country due to airborne dust particles transported from North Africa.
The pollution affects the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, Jerusalem, the coastal plain, Sharon region, inner Shefelah, Judea, Samaria, the Jordan Valley, the Negev, Arava and Eilat.
The elevated pollution stems from slow-settling dust carried by southwesterly winds from North Africa on Saturday. Authorities advised sensitive populations, including heart and lung patients, the elderly, children and pregnant women, to avoid strenuous outdoor activity. The general population was urged to limit intense physical exertion outdoors.
Air quality is expected to improve gradually through the day. By afternoon, pollution levels are forecast to decline to moderate to high in most areas, though Eilat and the southern Arava region will likely continue experiencing high pollution.
On Monday, moderate to high pollution is expected nationwide. The ministries said they would continue updating the public based on forecasts and data from monitoring stations across the country.